Electromagnetic counter with lighting device

Abstract

[Problem] The purpose of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic counter with a lighting device in which the position of a substrate having the lighting device attached thereto on a housing can be determined and the substrate can be fixed at said position, and which has high productivity. [Solution] A substrate groove 118 is formed on an upper wall 104T inside an inner housing 104 having a built-in number wheel 112, and a positioning projection 124 is provided in the substrate groove 118. A lighting device 136 is fixed to the tip part of a substrate 116, and a lighting device electrode is provided to the other end part. The substrate 116 has a first width part 1161 and a second width part 1162 wider than the first width part 1161 formed thereon, and a positioning hole 126 bored in the first width part 1161. The substrate 116 is installed in the substrate groove 118 by the positioning hole 126 being fitted to the positioning projection 124. The positioning projection 124 and the positioning hole 126 are brought into pressure contact with each other, and thus the substrate 116 is temporarily fixed. By inserting the inner housing 104 in which the substrate 116 is temporarily fixed into an outer housing 102, the substrate 116 is fixed in a state of being positioned in the inner housing 104.

Description

Illuminated electromagnetic counter

[0001] The present invention relates to an electromagnetic counter with an illumination device. In particular, it relates to an illumination device for an electromagnetic counter with an illumination device that has high assembly productivity. In the following description, names using numbers such as first and second are used for the convenience of explanation to avoid confusion with the same names, and do not affect the interpretation of the rights.

[0002] As a first prior art, there is known an electromagnetic counter equipped with an illumination device, which is equipped in a housing with an electromagnet, an anchor that oscillates when the electromagnet is excited and demagnetized, and number wheels that rotate by a predetermined angle in accordance with the oscillating movement of the anchor, and in which a flexible substrate mounted with light-emitting diodes that illuminate the number wheels is located in a gap in the housing (see Patent Document 1).

[0003] As a second prior art, there is known an electromagnetic counter with an integrated illumination means, which comprises a frame member equipped with an electromagnetic counting mechanism including an electromagnet, a pallet that oscillates when the electromagnet is excited and demagnetized, and a plurality of number wheels that rotate by a predetermined angle as the pallet oscillates, the frame member being inserted into a box-shaped cover member, and the number wheels being positioned near window holes in the front surface of the cover member to form a display unit, and the count numbers displayed by the number wheels being read through the window holes, the electromagnetic counter having an integrated illumination means and a mounting board on which light-emitting diodes that illuminate the display unit are mounted and on which a wiring pattern for supplying power to the light-emitting diodes is formed, the mounting board being disposed in a narrow gap formed between the mounting board and the frame member on the inside of the cover member, the light-emitting diodes being positioned near the number wheels, and reflection means being provided around the window holes on the inside of the cover member to reflect light from the light-emitting diodes toward the number wheels (see Patent Document 2).

[0004] JP 2005-222143 JP 2007-011719

[0005] In the first prior art, the flexible substrate on which the light-emitting diodes are mounted is positioned and then attached and fixed to the housing using, for example, double-sided tape. Therefore, the flexible substrate must be positioned separately, and double-sided tape must be attached, which raises concerns about low productivity. Furthermore, when using double-sided tape, there is a risk that the flexible substrate may become misaligned depending on the adhesive force. In the second prior art, the mounting substrate on which the light-emitting diodes are mounted is attached to the housing using double-sided tape, which raises the same concerns as in the first prior art.

[0006] An object of the present invention is to provide an electromagnetic counter with an illumination device that can be easily positioned on a housing without the risk of the illumination device being displaced from that position, and that is highly productive.

[0007] In order to achieve the above object, a first aspect of the present invention is configured as follows: An electromagnetic counter with an illumination device, in which a cubic inner housing is tightly inserted into and integrated with a cubic outer housing having an observation window on the front side, the inner housing incorporates a number wheel arranged on the front side and an electromagnetic actuator for rotating the number wheel by a predetermined angle, a lighting device is fixed to one end of a board having an illumination device electrode formed on the other end thereof, the board being disposed facing the inner housing, so that the illumination device is disposed to the side of the number wheel, and the electromagnet electrode and the illumination device electrode are provided so as to protrude rearward from the inner housing, and at least a portion of the board is The electromagnetic counter with an illumination device has a first width portion formed with one width and a second width portion formed wider than the first width portion, the illumination device is attached to one end and an electrode for the illumination device is provided at the other end, the inner upper wall of the inner housing has an upper opening with a portion open facing the number wheels, and a board groove that runs linearly from the front to the rear across the upper opening and is formed to a width that allows the first width portion to fit into it, the second width portion of the board is fitted into the upper opening and the first width portion is fitted into the board groove, and the illumination device is positioned above the number wheels.

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, a second aspect of the present invention is configured as follows: The electromagnetic counter with an illumination device according to the first aspect of the present invention is characterized in that the substrate has a positioning hole in the middle, the inner housing has a positioning protrusion protruding from the bottom surface of the substrate groove, and the positioning protrusion is fitted into the positioning hole.

[0009] A third aspect of the present invention is the electromagnetic counter with an illumination device according to the second aspect of the invention, which is configured as follows: The positioning protrusion is a cylindrical portion, and the positioning hole is a circular hole.

[0010] A fourth aspect of the present invention is configured as follows: The electromagnetic counter with an illumination device according to the third aspect of the invention is characterized in that the columnar portion is disposed in the base groove on the inner rear wall side of the upper opening.

[0011] A fifth aspect of the present invention is configured as follows: An electromagnetic counter with an illumination device according to the first or second aspect of the present invention, characterized in that a reflector is disposed between the front surface of the inner housing and the outer front wall of the outer housing, and a lower plate constituting the reflector is disposed below the number wheels.

[0012] In a first aspect of the present invention, an electromagnetic counter with an illumination device is configured by tightly inserting a cubic inner housing into a cubic outer housing having a viewing window on the front side. The inner housing houses a number wheel arranged on the front side and an electromagnetic actuator that rotates the number wheel by a predetermined angle. A substrate, to which a lighting device is fixed at one end and having an electrode for the lighting device at the other end, is arranged facing the inner housing. This positions the lighting device to the side of the number wheel, and the electromagnet electrode and the electrode for the lighting device protrude rearward from the inner housing. The substrate has at least a first width portion formed with a first width and a second width portion formed wider than the first width portion. The top wall of the inner housing has an upper opening, a portion of which is open facing the number wheel, and a substrate groove that extends linearly from the front to the rear across the upper opening and is formed with a width that allows the first width portion to fit within. The substrate is temporarily fixed to the inner housing with the second width portion fitted into the upper opening and the first width portion fitted into the substrate groove. This positions the lighting device above the number wheels, and the electrodes for the lighting device protrude toward the rear of the inner housing. By inserting the inner housing with the circuit board temporarily attached into the outer housing, the circuit board is held in the circuit board groove by the outer housing, completing the electromagnetic counter with lighting device. The circuit board is positioned in a predetermined position relative to the inner housing by fitting into the upper opening and the circuit board groove. Note that fitting includes not only tight fitting, but also cases where the circuit board can be held in a predetermined position even if there is a gap.

[0013] The second invention has the same configuration as the first invention, and therefore can achieve the object of the present invention. Furthermore, in the second invention, the substrate has a positioning hole in the middle, and the inner housing has a positioning protrusion protruding from the bottom surface of the substrate groove, and the positioning protrusion is fitted into the positioning hole. The positioning of the substrate relative to the inner housing is also achieved by fitting the cylindrical portion of the inner housing into the circular hole of the substrate, which has the advantage of making the positioning of the substrate more reliable.

[0014] The third invention has the same configuration as the second invention, and therefore can achieve the object of the present invention. Furthermore, in the third invention, the positioning protrusion is a cylindrical portion and the positioning hole is a circular hole. This has the advantage that the circular hole can be easily fitted into the cylindrical portion.

[0015] The fourth invention has the same configuration as the third invention, and therefore can achieve the object of the present invention. Furthermore, in the fourth invention, the cylindrical portion is positioned in the substrate groove on the rear wall side of the upper opening. Therefore, there is an advantage that the positioning of the lighting device is not affected, and the number wheels can be properly illuminated.

[0016] The fifth invention has the same configuration as the first or second invention, and therefore can achieve the object of the present invention. Furthermore, in the fifth invention, the reflector is also arranged below the number wheels, which has the advantage that the light from the lighting device can be more effectively irradiated onto the number wheels.

[0017] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electromagnetic counter with an illumination device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is an overall perspective view and (B) is a perspective view showing a state in which the inner housing is pulled out from the outer housing. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the inner housing of the electromagnetic counter with an illumination device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a rear perspective view and (B) is a rear perspective view showing a state in which the inner housing is pulled out from the outer housing. FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the inner housing of the electromagnetic counter with an illumination device according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a view of the inner housing of the electromagnetic counter with an illumination device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a plan view, (B) is a rear view, (C) is a left side view, and (D) is a front view. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line Y-Y in FIG. 4A. FIG. 6 is a view of a reflector used in the electromagnetic counter with an illumination device according to the first embodiment of the present invention, where (A) is a front view, (B) is a plan view, (C) is a left side view, (D) is a right side view, (E) is a rear view, and (F) is a bottom view. Fig. 7 shows a circuit board used in an electromagnetic counter with an illumination device according to a first embodiment of the present invention, with (A) being a plan view, (B) being a front view, (C) being a left side view, (D) being a right side view, (E) being a bottom view, and (F) being a cross section taken along line Y-Y in (E). Fig. 8 is an explanatory diagram of the electromagnetic counter with an illumination device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] The electromagnetic counter with an illumination device according to the present invention comprises a cubic inner housing tightly inserted into and integrated with a cubic outer housing having an observation window on the front side, the inner housing incorporating a number wheel arranged on the front side and an electromagnetic actuator for rotating the number wheel by a predetermined angle, a lighting device fixed to one end thereof and a substrate having an electrode for a lighting device formed thereon for supplying electricity to the lighting device at the other end thereof, the lighting device being arranged to the side of the number wheel, and the electrode for the electromagnet and the electrode for the lighting device being provided so as to protrude from the back side of the inner housing. Preferably, the substrate has at least a first width portion, a portion of which is formed with a first width, and a second width portion wider than the first width portion, the lighting device attached to one end and the lighting device electrode provided at the other end, the upper wall of the inner housing having an upper opening with a portion thereof open facing the number wheel, and a substrate groove extending linearly from the front to the rear across the upper opening and formed with a width to fit the first width portion, the substrate having the second width portion fitted into the upper opening and the first width portion fitted into the substrate groove, and the lighting device disposed above the number wheel. Also, the substrate preferably has a positioning hole in its middle, and the inner housing preferably has a positioning protrusion protruding from the bottom surface of the substrate groove, the positioning protrusion fitting into the positioning hole. Furthermore, the positioning protrusion is preferably a cylindrical portion, and the positioning hole is preferably a circular hole. Also, the cylindrical portion is preferably disposed in the substrate groove on the rear wall side of the upper opening. Furthermore, it is preferable that a reflector be disposed between the front surface of the inner housing and the front plate of the outer housing, and that a lower plate constituting the reflector be disposed below the number wheels.

[0019] An outline of an electromagnetic counter 100 with an illumination device according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Fig. 1. The electromagnetic counter 100 with an illumination device according to the present invention includes an outer housing 102, an inner housing 104, and a reflector 106, and is configured such that the reflector 106 is integrated with the front surface of the inner housing 104 and the inner housing 104 is tightly inserted into the outer housing 102.

[0020] First, the outer housing 102 will be described with reference to FIG. 1 . The outer housing 102 houses the inner housing 104. In this embodiment, the outer housing 102 is formed in a hollow cubic shape, a hexahedron formed by an outer front wall 102F, an outer left wall 102L, an outer right wall 102R, an outer upper wall 102T, and an outer lower wall 102B. A rectangular storage chamber 102C is defined inside, and the rear surface is formed with a rectangular outer insertion opening 102o. The outer front wall 102F is a horizontally elongated rectangle, with a horizontally elongated viewing window 108 opening in the center. A viewing window cover 110 made of transparent resin is disposed opposite the viewing window 108. The outer left wall 102L and the outer right wall 102R are horizontally elongated rectangles formed to the same dimensions. The outer upper wall 102T and the outer lower wall 102B are rectangular and formed to the same dimensions. The outer housing 102 is preferably integrally molded from resin or the like. An outer locking hole 102E is formed in the outer right wall 102R to receive and lock the inner locking protrusion 104E formed on the inner right wall 104R of the inner housing 104. In this embodiment, the outer locking hole 102E is rectangular, but it is not limited to a rectangular shape and may be circular or semicircular as long as it has the same locking function.

[0021] Next, the inner housing 104 will be described mainly with reference to Figures 2 to 5. The inner housing 104 houses a number wheel 112 and an electromagnetic actuator 114, is attached with a circuit board 116, and is fitted into the outer housing 102. In this embodiment, the inner housing 104 is a hollow cube, and is formed into a hexahedron by an inner front portion 104F, an inner left wall 104L, an inner right wall 104R, an inner upper wall 104T, an inner lower opening 104SA, and an inner rear wall 104B. The inner left wall 104L, the inner right wall 104R, the inner upper wall 104T, and the inner rear wall 104B are rectangular flat plates having a predetermined thickness.

[0022] The inner front portion 104F is formed in a gate shape by an inner left wall 104L and an inner right wall 104R of a predetermined thickness, which are arranged at a predetermined interval, and an inner upper wall 104T which connects the upper ends of these walls, and a rectangular inner front opening 104o is formed surrounded by these.

[0023] The inner left wall 104L is roughly a horizontally elongated rectangle with a predetermined thickness, but the inner upper wall 104T on the inner front opening 104o side protrudes forward beyond the inner left wall 104L, forming a left opening 104AL below. A left reflector locking portion 122L for locking the reflector 106 is formed on the outer surface of the front end of the inner left wall 104L. A shallow rectangular left recess 120L is formed at a predetermined length from the middle tip of the outer surface of the front tip of the inner left wall 104L. A left reflector locking portion 122L with a right-angled triangular cross section is formed in the center of the left recess 120L.

[0024] Like the inner left wall 104L, the inner right wall 104R is a horizontally elongated rectangle with a predetermined thickness, but the inner upper wall 104T on the inner front opening 104o side protrudes further than the inner right wall 104R, forming a right opening 104AR below. A right reflector locking portion 122R for locking the right end of the reflector 106 is formed at the front end of the inner right wall 104R. A shallow right recess 120R is formed in the middle of the outer surface of the front tip of the inner right wall 104R, extending a predetermined length from the tip. A right reflector locking portion 122R with a right-angled triangular cross section protrudes from the center of the right recess 120R. A shallow right recess 120R is formed in the middle of the outer surface of the front tip of the inner right wall 104R, extending a predetermined length from the tip. A right reflector locking portion 122R with a right-angled triangular cross section is formed in the center of the right recess 120R.

[0025] Next, the inner locking protrusion 104E will be described. The inner locking protrusion 104E is formed near the inner rear wall 104B of the inner right wall 104R. The inner locking protrusion 104E protrudes into the outer locking hole 102E formed in the outer right wall 102R and locks with one wall surface that forms the outer locking hole 102E formed in the vertical surface of the outer right wall 102R, thereby holding the inner housing 104 within the outer housing 102.

[0026] The inner upper wall 104T is a rectangular flat plate connecting the upper ends of the inner right wall 104R and the inner left wall 104L, which are arranged at a predetermined distance. In this embodiment, the inner upper wall 104T is divided into a front inner upper wall 104TF and a rear inner upper wall 104TB, with a rectangular upper opening 104A formed therebetween. The front inner upper wall 104TF is a rectangular flat plate extending from the upper-wall convex portion 104P toward the inner rear wall 104B by a first predetermined length L1. The rear inner upper wall 104TB is a rectangular flat plate extending from the inner rear wall 104B toward the upper-wall convex portion 104P by a second predetermined length L2. A rectangular upper opening 104A having a third predetermined length L3 is formed between the rear end TFE of the front inner upper wall 104TF and the front end edge TBF of the rear inner upper wall 104TB. The upper opening 104A is a horizontally elongated rectangular opening, with the rear of the number wheel 112 located directly below it. A board groove 118 is formed in the center of the inner top wall 104T in the left-right direction. The board groove 118 is fitted with the board 116 and functions to position the board 116. In this embodiment, the board groove 118 is formed linearly in the front inner top wall 104TF and the rear inner top wall 104TB in the center of the inner top wall 104T in the left-right direction, and has a board groove width iW. In other words, the board groove 118 is formed linearly and continuously from the front side to the rear side across the upper opening 104A. In this embodiment, the board groove width iW is approximately 6 mm and the groove is 0.4 mm deep. Specifically, the substrate groove 118 is composed of a first substrate groove 1181 formed in the front inner top wall 104TF and a second substrate groove 1182 formed in the rear inner top wall 104TB, with the upper opening 104A located between the first substrate groove 1181 and the second substrate groove 1182. In other words, the first substrate groove 1181 and the second substrate groove 1182 are aligned along the same axis SL. A positioning protrusion 124 is formed in the second substrate groove 1182.

[0027] The positioning protrusion 124 has the function of fitting into a positioning hole 126 formed in the substrate 116 to position the substrate 116. In this embodiment 1, the positioning protrusion 124 is a cylindrical protrusion with a predetermined diameter that protrudes from the bottom surface of the second substrate groove 1182, which is the substrate groove 118, and is also called a cylindrical portion. The concept of the positioning protrusion 124 fitting into the positioning hole 126 includes not only a tight fit but also a fit with a small gap. In this embodiment 1, the positioning protrusion 124 is a cylindrical portion with a predetermined diameter. The positioning protrusion 124 can adopt other shapes that have the same function.

[0028] Next, the lower inner opening 104SA will be described mainly with reference to Fig. 3. The lower inner opening 104SA is a substantially rectangular opening formed at a position facing the lower inner wall, which is positioned opposite the upper inner wall 104T. In this embodiment 1, the lower inner opening 104SA is a rectangular opening that opens almost the entire lower surface of the inner housing 104.

[0029] The inner rear wall 104B is formed in a rectangular flat plate shape, connecting the rear ends of the inner left wall 104L and the inner right wall 104R, and having an upper end connected to an end of the inner upper wall 104T. The inner rear wall 104B is formed with a screw hole 130 for mounting the unit to another device.

[0030] Next, the number wheel 112 will be described with reference to FIG. 3 . The number wheel 112 has the function of displaying a count value. In this embodiment, the number wheel 112 is a disk with the numbers 0 to 9 evenly spaced on its periphery. Multiple numbers are arranged coaxially, specifically, a first-digit number wheel 1121, a second-digit number wheel 1122, a third-digit number wheel 1123, a fourth-digit number wheel 1124, a fifth-digit number wheel 1125, a sixth-digit number wheel 1126, and a seventh-digit number wheel 1127. Therefore, in this embodiment, a seven-digit count value can be displayed. The first-digit number wheel 1121 is rotated 36 degrees by the electromagnetic actuator 114 each time it is turned, resulting in a 360-degree rotation when actuated 10 times. The adjacent second-digit number wheel 1122 is rotated 36 degrees for each rotation of the first-digit number wheel 1121. The same applies to the third-digit number wheel 1123 to the seventh-digit number wheel 1127. The number wheels 112 arranged in parallel can be selected appropriately. The number wheels 112 are arranged near the inner front opening 104o, with approximately the front half of the number wheels 112 arranged below the front inner upper wall 104TF, the rear half of the number wheels 112 facing the upper opening 104A, and the bottom surface of the number wheels 112 facing the inner lower opening 104SA.

[0031] Next, the electromagnetic actuator 114 will be described. The electromagnetic actuator 114 has the function of advancing the first-digit number wheel 1121 by one graduation with each excitation. In other words, the electromagnetic actuator 114 has the function of advancing the first-digit number wheel 1121 by 36 degrees. In this embodiment 1, the electromagnetic actuator 114 is a known electromagnetic actuator for an electromagnetic counter, and includes an electromagnet 132, an anchor 134, etc.

[0032] When the electromagnetic coil of the electromagnet 132 is magnetized, a movable piece integrated into the base end of the pallet fork 134, which has a pawl at its tip that meshes with the ratchet gear, is attracted to the iron core and auxiliary iron core, causing the pallet fork 134 to swing around the pivot shaft against the spring. When the current to the electromagnet 132 is cut off, the iron core and auxiliary iron core lose their magnetic force, causing the pallet fork to swing in the opposite direction due to the force of the spring, thereby rotating the first-digit number wheel 1121 by 36 degrees. In other words, the pallet fork 134 swings back and forth once by turning the current to the electromagnet 132 on and off, and this single swing rotates the ratchet gear by 36 degrees. The ratchet gear is formed integrally with the first-digit number wheel 1121, and the first-digit number wheel 1121 also rotates 36 degrees as the ratchet gear rotates. The electromagnet 132 has an electromagnet electrode 133 disposed along the inner left wall 104L and protruding rearward a predetermined length from the inner rear wall 104B. The electromagnet electrode 133 is composed of an electromagnet positive electrode 133P and an electromagnet negative electrode 133N. The electromagnet 132 is supplied with electricity for operation via the electromagnet positive electrode 133P and the electromagnet negative electrode 133N.

[0033] Next, the reflector 106 will be described mainly with reference to FIG. 6. The reflector 106 has the function of reflecting light projected from the lighting device 136 attached to the substrate 116 toward the number wheel 112. In this embodiment 1, the reflector 106 is made of stainless steel sheet metal, but it can also be made of aluminum, plated metal with a glossy finish, or gloss-plated resin. In this embodiment 1, the reflector 106 is made of a front plate 106F, a left plate 106L, a right plate 106R, and a lower plate 106D, and is configured in a dustpan shape with the left plate 106L, right plate 106R, and lower plate 106D bent at right angles to the front plate 106F. In this specification, the term "reflector 106" may refer to the entire front panel 106F, left panel 106L, right panel 106R, and lower panel 106D, or may refer to any one of the front panel 106F, left panel 106L, right panel 106R, or lower panel 106D.

[0034] First, the front plate 106F will be described. The front plate 106F is a horizontally elongated rectangle when viewed from the front, and is disposed relative to the inner front part 104F of the inner housing 104. A rectangular reflector through-hole 138 is drilled in the center. The reflector through-hole 138 faces the observation window 108 and is formed slightly larger than the observation window 108.

[0035] Next, the left side plate 106L will be described. The left side plate 106L has the function of reflecting light projected from the lighting device 136 to the side of a left opening 104AL formed in front of the inner left wall 104L. In this embodiment 1, the left side plate 106L is a flat plate-like body that is convex in front view and is bent rearward at a right angle from the left end of the front plate 106F. A rectangular reflector left locking hole 106LA that receives and locks the left reflector locking portion 122L is drilled in the left side plate 106L. The portion of the left side plate 106L adjacent to the front plate 106F faces the left opening 104AL and therefore has the function of reflecting light projected from the lighting device 136.

[0036] Next, the right side plate 106R will be described. The right side plate 106R has a function of reflecting light projected from the lighting device 136 on the side of a right opening 104AR formed in front of the inner right wall 104R. In this embodiment, the right side plate 106R is a flat plate-like body that is bent at a right angle rearward from the right end of the front plate 106F and has a convex shape in a front view. A rectangular right reflector locking hole 106RA that receives and locks the right reflector locking portion 122R is drilled in the right side plate 106R. The portion of the right side plate 106R adjacent to the front plate 106F faces the right opening 104AR and therefore has a function of reflecting light projected from the lighting device 136. The distance between the left side plate 106L and the right side plate 106R is configured to be the same as the width of the inner housing 104, in other words, the distance between the outer surfaces of the inner left wall 104L and the inner right wall 104R. Therefore, the left side plate 106L is tightly fitted to the left recess 120L, and the right side plate 106R is tightly fitted to the right recess 120R.

[0037] Next, the lower plate 106D will be described. The lower plate 106D has the function of reflecting light projected from the lighting device 136 below the lower opening 104SA formed below the inner front opening 104o. In this embodiment 1, the lower plate 106D is a flat plate-like body that is bent at a right angle backward from the lower end of the front plate 106F and has a horizontally elongated rectangular shape in front view. When viewed from above, the lower plate 106D is positioned below the number wheel 112, overlapping a portion of the number wheel 112. When viewed from above, the lower plate 106D is formed to a size that overlaps approximately one-third of the diameter of the number wheel 112. Since the lower plate 106D faces the lower opening 104SA formed below the inner front opening 104o, it reflects light projected from the lighting device 136.

[0038] The reflector 106 is temporarily fixed to the inner housing 104 by placing the front plate 106F opposite the inner front opening 104o, placing the right plate 106R against the inner right wall 104R, placing the left plate 106L against the inner left wall 104L, and engaging the left reflector locking hole 106LA with the left reflector locking portion 122L and the right reflector locking hole 106RA with the right reflector locking portion 122R. In other words, the upper end of the front plate 106F is abutted against the front end face of the upper wall protrusion 104P.

[0039] Next, the substrate 116 will be described mainly with reference to Fig. 7. The substrate 116 has a function of supporting the lighting device 136 and the lighting device electrode 142 that supplies power to the lighting device 136, and a function of holding the substrate 116 at a predetermined position relative to the inner housing 104. In this Example 1, the substrate 116 has at least a first width portion 1161, a portion of which is formed with a first width W1, and a second width portion 1162 that is a wide portion formed with a second width W2 wider than the first width portion 1161, and the lighting device 136 is attached to one end, and the lighting device electrode 142 is provided at the other end.

[0040] In this first embodiment, the substrate 116 is formed in a roughly elongated rectangular shape overall. Specifically, the substrate 116 is composed of a first width portion 1161 formed in an elongated rectangular shape with a first width W1 and a second width portion 1162 formed in the middle with a second width W2 wider than the first width W1. The first width W1 is formed slightly narrower than the substrate groove width iW of the substrate groove 118. The second width portion 1162 is disposed in the upper opening 104A. The second width portion 1162 has a predetermined length BL1 in the longitudinal direction of the substrate 116. The first width portion 1161 of the substrate 116 is fitted into the substrate groove 118 (first substrate groove 1181, second substrate groove 1182), and the second width portion 1162 is fitted into the upper opening 104A. When the substrate 116 is fitted into the substrate groove 118, the upper surface of the substrate 116 and the upper surface of the inner upper wall 104T are set to be flush with each other. Note that the concept of substrate 116 being fitted into substrate groove 118 includes not only a case where substrate 116 is fitted tightly enough to cause resistance when inserted into substrate groove 118, but also a case where no insertion resistance is felt but there is almost no movement in the width direction within substrate groove 118. Printed wires 128 are provided on substrate 116 for electrically connecting lighting device 136 and lighting device electrode 142. Printed wires 128 are composed of positive printed wire 128P and negative printed wire 128N. Positive printed wire 128P is connected to the positive electrode of lighting device 136 and lighting device positive electrode 142P, and negative printed wire 128N is connected to the negative electrode of lighting device 136 and lighting device negative electrode 142N.

[0041] Next, the positioning hole 126 will be described. The positioning hole 126 functions to position the substrate 116 relative to the inner housing 104 in cooperation with the positioning protrusion 124, and therefore to position the lighting device 136 and the lighting device electrode 142. In this embodiment 1, the positioning hole 126 is a circular hole having a predetermined diameter formed in the first width portion 1161, and is formed opposite to the second substrate groove 1182 formed in the inner rear wall 104B from the second width portion 1162. In other words, the positioning hole 126 is provided in the center of the substrate 116 in the longitudinal direction. In this embodiment 1, the positioning hole 126 is a circular hole having a predetermined diameter.

[0042] Next, the lighting device 136 will be described. The lighting device 136 has the function of illuminating the number wheel 112 from above. In this embodiment, a known light-emitting diode is used for the lighting device 136. In this embodiment, the lighting device 136 is formed in a cubic shape with a predetermined thickness and is fixed to the underside of the front end of the base plate 116.

[0043] Next, a description will be given with reference to the lighting device electrode 142. The lighting device electrode 142 functions to connect the positive printed wire 128P and the negative printed wire 128N connected to the lighting device 136 to a power supply. In this embodiment, the lighting device electrode 142 is a pair of elongated terminals protruding from one end of the substrate 116, and includes a lighting device positive electrode 142P and a lighting device negative electrode 142N. The lighting device positive electrode 142P is electrically connected to the positive printed wire 128P, and the lighting device negative electrode 142N is electrically connected to the negative printed wire 128N. Therefore, by inserting the lighting device positive electrode 142P and the lighting device negative electrode 142N into power sockets, electricity can be supplied to the lighting device 136 via the positive printed wire 128P and the negative printed wire 128N.

[0044] The substrate 116 is placed in the substrate groove 118 of the inner housing 104. Specifically, the first width portion 1161 of the substrate 116 is disposed in the first substrate groove 1181 and the second substrate groove 1182 of the substrate groove 118, the second width portion 1162 is disposed in the upper opening 104A, and the positioning protrusion 124 is fitted into the positioning hole 126. In particular, a first distance D1 between the front end edge TBF of the rear inner upper wall 104TB and a protrusion end face 124E of the positioning protrusion 124 on the inner rear wall 104B side is set to be slightly larger than a second distance D2 between a substrate end face 1162E of the second width portion 1162 on the inner rear wall 104B side and a hole end face 126E of the positioning hole 126 on the inner rear wall 104B side. As a result, the substrate end surface 1162E of the substrate 116 is pressed against the front edge TBF, and the protrusion end surface 124E is pressed against the hole end surface 126E, so that the frictional force therebetween holds the substrate 116 in the inner housing 104, specifically in the substrate groove 118, with a predetermined frictional force. In other words, the substrate 116 is temporarily fixed to the inner housing 104. The structure in which the substrate end surface 1162E of the substrate 116 is pressed against the front edge TBF and the hole end surface 126E and the protrusion end surface 124E are pressed against each other can be replaced by other structures having similar functions.

[0045] Next, a method for assembling the electromagnetic counter 100 with an illumination device will be described with reference to Figures 1 and 2. When manufacturing the electromagnetic counter 100 with an illumination device, the outer housing 102, the inner housing 104 with the built-in number wheel 112 and electromagnetic actuator 114, and the circuit board 116 are prepared. First, the circuit board 116 is set in the circuit board groove 118. That is, the positioning holes 126 are fitted into the positioning protrusions 124, thereby temporarily fixing the circuit board 116 to the inner housing 104. As a result, the first width portion 1161 is fitted into the first circuit board groove 1181 and the second circuit board groove 1182, and the second width portion 1162 is fitted into the upper opening 104A. Because a first distance D1 between the front edge TBF and the protrusion end face 124E of the positioning protrusion 124 is set slightly larger than a second distance D2 between the board end face 1162E and the hole end face 126E on the inner rear wall 104B side of the positioning hole 126, the board end face 1162E and the front edge TBF, and the protrusion end face 124E and the hole end face 126E come into contact with each other with a predetermined pressure, which creates a predetermined frictional force, and the board 116 is held in place by the inner housing 104 and will not shift unless a predetermined external force is applied. As a result, the lighting device 136 is positioned above the center of the number wheel 112, and the lighting device electrode 142 protrudes rearward at a predetermined position on the inner rear wall 104B.

[0046] Next, the reflector 106 is attached to the inner housing 104. That is, the front plate 106F of the reflector 106 is opposed to the inner front part 104F of the inner housing 104, the left plate 106L is placed against the outer surface of the inner left wall 104L, and the right plate 106R is placed against the outer surface of the inner right wall 104R and pushed in. As a result, the left plate 106L fits into the left recess 120L, the left reflector locking portion 122L protrudes into the left reflector locking hole 106LA, and the left plate 106L is locked by the left reflector locking portion 122L. The right plate 106R fits into the right recess 120R, the right reflector locking portion 122R protrudes into the right reflector locking hole 106RA, and the right plate 106R is locked by the right reflector locking portion 122R. As a result, reflecting plate 106 is temporarily fixed to inner housing 104 with left side plate 106L facing left side opening 104AL, right side plate 106R facing right side opening 104AR, and lower side plate 106D facing lower inner opening 104SA. Left side plate 106L, right side plate 106R, and lower side plate 106D can each reflect projected light from lighting device 136 toward number wheel 112.

[0047] Next, the inner housing 104 to which the substrate 116 and the reflector 106 have been temporarily attached is inserted into the accommodation chamber 102C through the outer insertion opening 102o, and the inner locking protrusions 104E are caused to protrude into the outer locking holes 102E of the outer housing 102, and the outer housing 102 is locked by the inner locking protrusions 104E, thereby completing the assembly. As a result, the reflector 106 and the substrate 116 are sandwiched and fixed between the inner housing 104 and the outer housing 102.

[0048] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and it goes without saying that various modifications are possible without departing from the gist of the present invention.

[0049] 100 Electromagnetic counter with lighting device 102 Outer housing 102F Outer front wall 104 Inner housing 104A Upper opening 104B Inner rear wall 106 Reflector 106D Lower plate 108 Sight window 112 Number wheel 114 Electromagnetic actuator 116 Board 1161 First width portion 1162 Second width portion 118 Board groove 1181 First board groove 1182 Second board groove 124 Positioning protrusion 126 Positioning hole 133 Electromagnet electrode 136 Lighting device 142 Lighting device electrode

Claims

1. An electromagnetic counter with an illumination device, in which a cubic inner housing (104) is tightly inserted into and integrated with a cubic outer housing (102) having a sight hole (108) on the front side, the inner housing (104) incorporates a number wheel (112) arranged on the front side and an electromagnetic actuator (114) for rotating the number wheel (112) by a predetermined angle at a time, a lighting device (136) is fixed to one end of a board (116) on which an electrode for an illumination device (142) for supplying electricity to the lighting device (136) is formed and arranged against the inner housing (104), so that the lighting device (136) is arranged to the side of the number wheel (112) and the electromagnet electrode (133) and the electrode for an electromagnet (142) are provided protruding rearward from the inner housing (104), The substrate (116) has at least a first width portion (1161) partially formed with a first width and a second width portion (1162) formed wider than the first width portion (1161), the lighting device (136) is attached to one end portion, and the lighting device electrode (142) is provided at the other end portion; the inner upper wall of the inner housing (104) is formed with an upper opening (104A) partially opened facing the number wheel (112), and a substrate groove (118) that traverses the upper opening (104A) in a straight line from the front side to the rear side and is formed with a width into which the first width portion (1161) fits; the second width portion (1162) of the substrate (116) is fitted into the upper opening (104A) and the first width portion is fitted into the substrate groove, and the lighting device (136) is disposed above the number wheel (112).

1. An electromagnetic counter with an illumination device.

2. The electromagnetic counter with illumination device according to claim 1, characterized in that the substrate (116) has a positioning hole (126) in the middle, the inner housing (104) has a positioning protrusion (124) protruding from the bottom surface of the substrate groove (118), and the positioning protrusion (124) is fitted into the positioning hole (126).

3. The electromagnetic counter with an illumination device according to claim 2, characterized in that the positioning protrusion (124) is a cylindrical portion, and the positioning hole (126) is a circular hole.

4. The electromagnetic counter with an illumination device according to claim 3, characterized in that the cylindrical portion is disposed within the base groove (118) on the inner rear wall (104B) side relative to the upper opening (104A).

5. An electromagnetic counter with an illumination device as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a reflector (106) is arranged between the front surface of the inner housing (104) and the outer front wall (102F) of the outer housing (102), and a lower plate (106D) constituting the reflector (106) is arranged below the number wheel (112).

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