JP5672316B2 - Music box - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a music box, and more particularly to an improvement for suppressing the occurrence of abnormal noise.

  Music boxes that play music are known. For example, the music box device described in Patent Document 1 includes a plurality of star wheels that are provided with a plurality of protrusions toward the outside in the radial direction and that are rotatable about a first axis. A plurality of vibration valves respectively corresponding to the plurality of star wheels are provided with a diaphragm provided along the first axis. The protrusion is selectively brought into contact with the vibration valve to play music. According to this technique, rotation of the star wheel is controlled by driving a solenoid provided corresponding to each star wheel. For this reason, the protrusion can be selectively brought into contact with the vibration valve and played at a predetermined timing.

JP 2011-128348 A

  However, in the conventional technique, the solenoid is driven when the rotation of the star wheel is controlled. For this reason, an impact sound due to the suction of the solenoid or the like is generated, and there is an adverse effect that an abnormal sound is generated in the performance of the music box. This adverse effect cannot be ignored in music boxes whose main function is playing sound. Such a problem has been newly found in the course of continuous research by the present inventor with the intention of improving the music box.

  The present invention has been made against the background of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to provide a music box that suppresses the generation of abnormal noise.

  In order to achieve such an object, the gist of the invention according to claim 1 of the present application is that a plurality of protrusions are provided radially outward and are provided so as to be rotatable about the first axis. A star wheel, a diaphragm provided with a plurality of vibration valves respectively corresponding to the plurality of star wheels, and a second axis provided side by side with the first axis. A plurality of locking members respectively corresponding to the plurality of star wheels, a plurality of electromagnets corresponding to the plurality of locking members, and a first state corresponding to energization of each of the plurality of electromagnets or A control unit that controls a second state in which the magnetic force is weaker than the first state, and when the electromagnet is controlled to the first state by the control unit, the locking member is caused by the magnetic force of the electromagnet. Centered on the second axis Then, when the electromagnet is controlled to the second state by the control unit, the locking member is , Rotating in the direction opposite to the first rotation direction, locking at least one of the protrusions on the star wheel, and the locking member is arranged on a surface facing the star wheel on an outer peripheral surface of the star wheel. It is characterized by having a concave portion that is recessed in a concave shape.

  Thus, according to the first aspect of the present invention, when the locking member is rotated in accordance with the switching of the excitation state of the electromagnet, the locking member collides with the outer peripheral surface of the star wheel. It is possible to suitably suppress the generation of abnormal noise. That is, it is possible to provide a music box that suppresses the occurrence of abnormal noise.

  According to the invention according to claim 2 dependent on claim 1 of the present application, when the locking member is rotated in accordance with switching of the excitation state of the electromagnet, the locking member collides with the outer peripheral surface of the star wheel. Thus, the occurrence of abnormal noise can be suitably suppressed in a practical manner.

  According to the invention according to claim 3 dependent on claim 1 or claim 2 of the present application, the music box that controls the rotation of the star wheel by rotating the locking member using the magnetic force of the electromagnet by a practical mechanism. , The generation of abnormal noise can be suitably suppressed.

  According to the invention according to claim 4 dependent on any one of claims 1 to 3 of the present application, the star wheel is rotated by rotating the locking member using the magnetic force of the electromagnet by a practical mechanism. In the music box to be controlled, generation of abnormal noise can be suitably suppressed.

  According to the invention according to claim 5 that is dependent on claim 4 of the present application, when the locking member is rotated in accordance with switching of the excitation state of the electromagnet, the locking member collides with the outer peripheral surface of the star wheel. Thus, the occurrence of abnormal noise can be suitably suppressed in a practical manner.

It is a perspective view which illustrates the structure of the performance mechanism part in the music box which is one Example of this invention. It is the figure which looked at the performance mechanism part of FIG. 1 in the axial direction of the 1st axis | shaft. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the configuration shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 is a front view of the star wheel viewed in the axial direction in order to explain in detail the configuration of the star wheel provided in the music box of FIG. 1. FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a relative positional relationship between the locking member and the star wheel when the locking member is in a locked state in the music box of FIG. 1. It is a figure explaining the action | operation when a locking member is made into the latching state in the music box of FIG. It is a figure explaining the action | operation in case a locking member is switched from a locked state to a non-locked state in the music box of FIG. It is a figure which expands and shows the part enclosed with the broken line of FIG. It is a figure explaining the operation | movement in which the projection part in a star wheel plays the sound by playing the vibration valve of a diaphragm in the music box of FIG. In the music box of FIG. 1, the manner in which the protrusion is brought into sliding contact with the concave portion according to the rotation of the star wheel is described. In the music box of FIG. 1, the manner in which the protrusion is brought into sliding contact with the concave portion according to the rotation of the star wheel is described. FIG. 1 illustrates a state in which the locking member is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the star wheel according to the rotation of the star wheel in the music box of FIG. It is the schematic explaining a mode that the performance mechanism part was accommodated in the housing | casing in the music box of FIG. It is a functional block diagram explaining the principal part of the control function with which ECU in the music box of FIG. 1 was equipped.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a state in which a configuration of a performance mechanism unit 100 in a music box 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is viewed obliquely from above. In the present embodiment, the upper side of the music box 10 means the upper side (substantially vertically upward) when the music box 10 is installed on an installation plane (not shown). As shown in FIG. 1, the music box 10 of this embodiment includes a plurality of (for example, 40) star wheels 14 that are rotatably provided around a first shaft 12 (see FIG. 2 and the like). . A diaphragm 16 provided along the first axis 12 is provided. The diaphragm 16 is provided with a plurality of vibration valves 18 corresponding to the plurality of star wheels 14 along the first shaft 12. A second shaft 20 is provided along with the first shaft 12. A second shaft 20 is preferably provided in parallel with the first shaft 12. A plurality of locking members 22 corresponding to the plurality of star wheels 14 are provided so as to be rotatable about the second shaft 20. A plurality of electromagnets 24 respectively corresponding to the plurality of locking members 22 are provided. A plurality of sunwheels 28 respectively corresponding to a plurality of star wheels 14 provided so as not to rotate relative to a third shaft 26 provided in parallel with the first shaft 12 and rotated integrally with the third shaft 26. I have. A pedestal 30 is provided that supports the first shaft 12 and the third shaft 26 so that the first shaft 12 and the third shaft 26 can rotate about their respective axis centers, and the second shaft 20 cannot rotate, and on which the diaphragm 16 and the plurality of electromagnets 24 are assembled. . A motor 32 is provided that generates a driving force for rotationally driving the first shaft 12 and the third shaft 26 in synchronization with the respective shaft centers. The plurality of vibration valves 18 respectively correspond to a plurality of predetermined scales, and are configured to play the sound of the corresponding scale by being played by the projections 36 of the star wheel 14 as will be described later. In the music box 10, the performance mechanism unit 100 configured as shown in FIG. 1 is accommodated inside the casing 34 by the pedestal 30 being assembled to the casing 34 described later.

  FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram for explaining a state in which the performance mechanism unit 100 in the music box 10 of the present embodiment shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13, the music box 10 includes a first shaft 12, a plurality of star wheels 14, a diaphragm 16, a second shaft 20, a plurality of locking members 22, a plurality of electromagnets 24, a third shaft 26, a plurality of A housing 34 for housing the configuration of the sun wheel 28 and the like is provided. That is, the performance mechanism unit 100 configured as shown in FIG. 1 is housed inside the housing 34 by the pedestal 30 being assembled to the housing 34. As indicated by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 13, preferably, the center of the second shaft 20 and at least a part of the plurality of electromagnets 24 are arranged on the same plane along the bottom surface 34 a of the housing 34. It is. Note that all the electromagnets 24 may not be arranged on the same plane along the bottom surface 34 a of the housing 34. A viewing window 34 b for visually recognizing the inside of the housing 34 is provided on the upper plane portion of the housing 34. The observation window 34b is provided with a lid (not shown) made of a transparent material such as a glass plate. As shown in FIG. 13, the music box 10 includes an ECU (Electric Control Unit) 60 as a control unit that controls excitation or non-excitation of each of the plurality of electromagnets 24.

  FIG. 2 is a diagram of the configuration of the star wheel 14, the locking member 22, the sun wheel 28, and the like in the performance mechanism unit 100 of the music box 10 as viewed in the axial direction of the first shaft 12. It is. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the star wheel 14, the locking member 22, the sun wheel 28, and the like shown in FIG. 2 as viewed obliquely from above. FIG. 3 illustrates two star wheels 14a and 14b among the plurality of star wheels 14, and corresponding locking members 22a and 22b and electromagnets 24a and 24b. In FIGS. 1 and 2 which are drawings other than FIG. 3, the individual star wheels 14 a and 14 b are simply illustrated as the star wheels 14 when they are not particularly distinguished. When the individual locking members 22a and 22b are not particularly distinguished, they are simply illustrated as the locking members 22. If the individual sun wheels 28a, 28b, 28c are not particularly distinguished, they are simply shown as the sun wheels 28. The correspondence between the star wheel 14 and the locking member 22 means that the rotation of the star wheel 14 is locked when the locking member 22 is locked. The correspondence between the star wheel 14 and the sun wheel 28 means that the gear portion 38 of the star wheel 14 and the outer peripheral teeth 40 of the sun wheel 28 mesh with each other. FIG. 3 illustrates sun wheels 28a and 28b corresponding to the star wheels 14a and 14b, and also shows a sun wheel 28c adjacent to the sun wheel 28b. The adjacent sun wheel 28 refers to the sun wheel 28 that is arranged along the third axis 26 around the axis. In FIG. 3, the diaphragm 16 and the pedestal 30 are not shown, and a part of each of the first shaft 12, the second shaft 20, and the third shaft 26 is omitted (cut).

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the star wheel 14 includes a plurality of protrusions 36 radially outward in the radial direction. Preferably, four protrusions 36 are provided in the circumferential direction of the star wheel 14 in the same phase. That is, the protrusions 36 are provided every 90 ° in the circumferential direction of the star wheel 14. The star wheel 14 includes a plurality of gear portions 38 on the inner peripheral side (radially inner side) than the protrusion 36. Preferably, a gear portion 38 is provided as a protruding portion with two teeth at a position corresponding to each protrusion 36. The gear portion 38 is disposed while the plurality of star wheels 14 are disposed along the first shaft 12. That is, the gear portion 38 is disposed at a position different from the protruding portion 36 with respect to the axial direction of the first shaft 12. Specifically, they are disposed between the protrusions 36 adjacent to each other in the axial direction. The sun wheel 28 is configured to include a plurality of outer peripheral teeth 40 toward the radially outer side. As shown in FIG. 2, in a state where the star wheel 14 is assembled to the first shaft 12, the protrusion 36 has at least one of the vibration valves 18 corresponding to the rotation locus centered on the axis of the first shaft 12. It is provided in the position which contacts a part. And it is provided in the position latched by the latching member 22 in the latching state which the corresponding latching member 22 mentions later. This locked position is a position where the rotation of the star wheel 14 following the rotation of the first shaft 12 is prevented in a state where the protrusion 36 is in contact with the locking member 22. That is, the protrusion 36 functions as a stopper that prevents the follow-up rotation accompanying the rotation of the first shaft 12 of the star wheel 14 by repelling the vibration valve 18 in the diaphragm 16 and contacting the locking member 22. The gear portion 38 is provided at a position where the rotation locus centering on the axis of the first shaft 12 is meshed with the outer peripheral teeth 40 of the corresponding sun wheel 28.

  As shown in FIG. 2 in which a part (a part surrounded by a broken line) is enlarged, a chamfer 68 is attached to the outer peripheral teeth 40 of the sun wheel 28. The chamfers 68 are preferably provided on both sides in the axial direction at the tip of the outer peripheral teeth 40. A chamfer 70 (see FIG. 4) is attached to the outer periphery of the star wheel 14. The chamfer 70 is preferably applied to the outer diameter ridge line of the star wheel 14. The outer diameter ridge line of the star wheel 14 is both axial end portions of the outer peripheral surface 72 of the star wheel 14. As the sun wheel 28 and the star wheel 14 rotate, when the edges (both ends in the axial direction) of the outer peripheral teeth 40 of the sun wheel 28 overlap the ridgeline of the outer peripheral surface (outer diameter) of the star wheel 14, chamfers 68 and 70 are attached. For example, it enters smoothly without interfering with the outer peripheral surface 72 of the star wheel 14 described later. Thereby, generation | occurrence | production of an impact sound can be suppressed suitably. It is sufficient that at least one of the chamfer 68 of the sun wheel 28 and the chamfer 70 of the star wheel 14 is provided. In addition to the chamfer 70 at the outer peripheral surface 72 of the star wheel 14, the ridgeline (both ends in the axial direction) of the projection 36 may be chamfered. In the sun wheel 28 and the star wheel 14, the chamfers 68 and 70 are not necessarily provided.

  FIG. 4 is a front view of the star wheel 14 viewed in the axial direction in order to describe the configuration of the star wheel 14 in detail. As shown in FIG. 4, the star wheel 14 preferably includes a metal plate portion 42 that is a metal plate including a plurality of protrusions 36 facing radially outward. Since the metal plate portion 42 is insert-molded in a synthetic resin portion 44 that is a synthetic resin material such as engineering plastic, the positional relationship between the protrusion portion 36 and the gear portion 38 is maintained even when a strong force is applied to the protrusion portion 36. Retained. Insert molding is, for example, a method in which a synthetic resin material is injected around a metal member previously inserted into a mold and the metal member and the synthetic resin member are integrally molded (the same applies in the following description). Preferably, portions other than the plurality of protrusions 36 are covered with the synthetic resin portion 44. The gear portion 38 is preferably a resin gear portion configured as a part of the synthetic resin portion 44. The synthetic resin portion 44 includes an assembly hole portion 46 on the inner peripheral side thereof, and is assembled to the first shaft 12 by inserting the first shaft 12 into the assembly hole portion 46. With such a configuration, chatter when the star wheel 14 contacts the sun wheel 28 is suppressed. In a state where the star wheel 14 is assembled to the first shaft 12, a predetermined frictional force is applied between the inner peripheral surface of the assembly hole 46 and the outer peripheral surface (contact surface) of the first shaft 12. Is done. In order to apply the frictional force, preferably, as shown in FIG. 4, a friction spring 48 for applying the frictional force between the inner peripheral surface of the assembly hole 46 and the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft 12 is provided. Provided (friction force function). Preferably, the friction spring 48 is a piano wire, and the inner peripheral surface of the assembly hole 46 is pressed against the outer peripheral surface of the first shaft 12 by the deformation force of the piano wire (pressing function). The frictional force generated by the friction spring 48 is set to be stronger than the force for rotating the star wheel 14 and weaker than the force for removing the locking member 22 by the rotation of the star wheel 14. With such a configuration, the star wheel 14 is provided to be rotatable around the first shaft 12 in a state where the star wheel 14 is assembled to the first shaft 12. When the locking member 22 is in a non-locking state to be described later, the locking member 22 is rotated following the first shaft 12 by the frictional force at the contact portion with the first shaft 12. If the frictional force generated by the friction spring 48 is weaker than the force for rotating the star wheel 14, the star wheel 14 may idle even when the locking of the locking member 22 is released. If the force of removing the locking member 22 by the rotation of the star wheel 14 is stronger, the plate member 50 of the locking member 22 moves in the left direction in FIG. There is a risk of being.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the locking member 22 preferably has at least one protrusion on the star wheel 14 as the locking member 22 is rotated about the second shaft 20 toward the star wheel 14. A plate member 50 that is brought into contact with the portion 36 is provided. The electromagnet 24 is provided with a magnetic member 52 that generates an action of rotating the locking member 22 in the first rotation direction, that is, the direction away from the star wheel 14 by the magnetic force of the electromagnet 24 in the excited state. The magnetic member 52 is a metal whose main component is an iron group element such as iron, cobalt, or nickel. The magnetic member 52 is preferably a particularly unmagnetized iron plate, but may be a magnetized so-called permanent magnet. In the locking member 22, the magnetic member 52 is insert-molded into a synthetic resin member 54 such as an engineering plastic provided integrally with the plate member 50, and the magnetic member 52 is attracted by the electromagnet 24 with such a configuration. The chatter is suppressed. In other words, the magnetic member 52 is embedded in the synthetic resin member 54.

  The electromagnet 24 preferably includes a cylindrical coil around an iron core that is a magnetic material such as iron. When an electric current is passed through the coil, the coil is excited and generates a magnetic force (magnetic field). On the other hand, it is a well-known general electromagnet that is brought into a non-excited state when no current is passed through the coil. In the present embodiment, the state in which current is passed through the coil of the electromagnet 24 corresponds to the first state. The state in which no current flows through the coil of the electromagnet 24 corresponds to the second state in which the magnetic force is weaker than in the first excitation state.

  Hereinafter, with reference to FIG. 14, the locking operation and the releasing operation by the locking member 22 will be described. FIG. 14 is a functional block diagram for explaining the main part of the control function provided in the ECU 60. The score database 62 shown in FIG. 14 stores a plurality of score data respectively corresponding to songs to be played by the music box 10. The musical score database 62 may be stored in a storage medium such as a well-known SD card (Secure Digital Card), and the ECU 60 may be able to read data recorded in the storage medium. The musical score data is, for example, data in MIDI (Musical Instrument Digital Interface) format, and for each of a plurality of predetermined types of musical instruments, a plurality of tracks (for example, a sound output timing and a scale corresponding to the musical instrument are defined). Channel). The music box 10 of the present embodiment performs performance control described in detail below based on, for example, the output timing and scale of a track (channel) corresponding to a guide melody in MIDI data, that is, a main melody.

  The lock release timing determination unit 64 determines the timing of releasing the lock of the protrusion 36 in the star wheel 14 by each of the plurality of lock members 22. In other words, the timing for switching the excitation or non-excitation of the electromagnet 24 corresponding to each of the plurality of locking members 22 (the timing for executing or stopping the energization of the electromagnet 24) is determined. For example, in the performance of a song corresponding to predetermined score data among a plurality of score data stored in the score database 62, the determination is performed based on the sound output timing and scale determined in the score data. Specifically, in order to play the plurality of vibration valves 18 corresponding to each musical scale at the output timing determined in the musical score data, the timing for releasing the locking of the protrusion 36 on the star wheel 14 by the locking member 22 is determined. To do. When the rotation speed of each of the first shaft 12 and the third shaft 26 is set to a constant value, the locking by the locking member 22 corresponding to each star wheel 14 is released and the corresponding protrusion 36 of the star wheel 14 responds. The time lag until the vibrating valve 18 is bounced is obtained in advance. The lock release timing determination unit 64 performs the determination based on the musical score data to be played. In the score data, the output timing of the scale corresponding to each vibration valve 18 is determined. The lock release timing determination unit 64 determines to switch the electromagnet 24 from the excited state to the non-excited state after a predetermined time after the electromagnet 24 is switched from the non-excited state to the excited state.

  The electromagnet excitation / non-excitation control unit 66 switches excitation or non-excitation of each of the plurality of electromagnets 24 based on the determination result by the unlocking timing determination unit 64. That is, based on the determination result by the locking release timing determination unit 64, control is performed to execute or stop the energization of each of the plurality of electromagnets 24. Specifically, when the timing for releasing the locking of the protrusion 36 on the star wheel 14 by the locking member 22 is determined by the locking release timing determination unit 64, the corresponding electromagnet 24 is moved from the non-excited state at that timing. Switch to the excited state. That is, energization of the electromagnet 24 is started at such timing. The electromagnet excitation / non-excitation control unit 66 preferably switches the electromagnet 24 from the excited state to the non-excited state after a predetermined time has elapsed after switching the electromagnet 24 from the non-excited state to the excited state. That is, energization of the electromagnet 24 is stopped at such timing.

  As shown in FIG. 2, the electromagnet 24 is provided corresponding to each locking member 22. The locking member 22 is provided in the vicinity of the synthetic resin member 54 in which the magnetic member 52 is embedded. The magnetic member 52 is provided in a non-contact manner. That is, the electromagnet 24 and the locking member 22 are not in contact with each other when they are closest to each other. In other words, the locking member 22 is configured such that a predetermined gap is provided between the magnetic member 52 and the electromagnet 24 in both a locked state and an unlocked state to be described later. This interval is preferably within a range in which the magnetic force of the electromagnet 24 can be exerted on the magnetic member 52 in the excited state of the electromagnet 24. For example, even when the electromagnet 24 and the locking member 22 are most separated from each other, the interval is designed so that the magnetic member 52 is attracted by the magnetic force of the electromagnet 24 when the electromagnet 24 is excited. That is, the interval is designed so that an attractive force that rotates the locking member 22 in the direction of separating the locking member 22 from the star wheel 14 is generated. As shown by a one-dot chain line in FIG. 8 to be described later, the axial center of the electromagnet 24 (the central axis of the iron core) is in a positional relationship intersecting with the rotation center of the locking member 22, that is, the axial center of the second shaft 20.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the locking member 22 preferably includes a snap spring (torsion coil spring) 56. The snap spring 56 is a biasing member that biases the locking member 22 in a direction in which the locking member 22 is rotated toward the star wheel 14. The locking member 22 and the plate member 50 are preferably rotated toward the star wheel 14 by being biased by the snap spring 56 when the electromagnet 24 is in a non-excited state. The plate member 50 is in a locked state (see FIG. 6 and the like described later) in which at least one of the plurality of protrusions 36 provided on the star wheel 14 is locked. On the other hand, in the excited state of the electromagnet 24, the locking member 22 and the plate member 50 are moved in the first rotation direction around the second shaft 20, that is, the star, against the biasing force of the snap spring 56 by the magnetic force of the electromagnet 24. It is rotated in a direction away from the wheel 14. Then, the locking member 22 is stopped at a position where the force (attraction force) for attracting the magnetic member 52 according to the magnetic force by the electromagnet 24 and the urging force of the snap spring 56 are balanced. That is, it is set to the non-locking state (refer FIG. 7-12 mentioned later etc.) which the latching of the projection part 36 by the board member 50 is cancelled | released.

  As shown in FIG. 6 and the like, the locking member 22 includes a concave portion 74 that is concaved along the outer peripheral surface 72 of the star wheel 14 on the surface of the plate member 50 that faces the star wheel 14. The concave portion 74 is preferably a curved surface having a smaller curvature than the outer peripheral surface 72 of the star wheel 14 and curved toward the outer peripheral surface 72. The recessed portion 74 is preferably shaped to be recessed in an arc shape or an elliptic arc shape with respect to the rotation center of the second shaft 20. The concave portion 74 is preferably the first flat portion from the tip of the plate member 50, that is, from the contact portion with the protrusion 36 to the middle. A base end portion on the second shaft 20 side, that is, from the rotation center side to the middle is a second flat portion that forms a predetermined angle with respect to the first flat portion. The 1st plane part and the 2nd plane part are connected by the curved surface. The concave portion 74 is preferably brought into sliding contact with the concave portion 74 in accordance with the rotation of the star wheel 14 after the locking of the locking member 22 and the protruding portion 36 is released, and further the star wheel 14 The locking member 22 is configured to gradually approach the outer peripheral surface 72 of the star wheel 14 in accordance with the rotation of. This shape will be described later with reference to FIGS.

  As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the plurality of electromagnets 24 and the locking members 22 corresponding to the electromagnets 24 are preferably a plurality of electromagnets 24 and the locking members 22 belonging to the first group, and the second group. A plurality of electromagnets 24 and the locking member 22 are disposed with a phase difference of 90 ° in the circumferential direction around the axis of the first shaft 12 (that is, at a position that forms an angle of 90 ° with each other). ing. Preferably, when a numerical value from 1 to n (corresponding to the electromagnet 24 at the other end) is attached from the electromagnet 24 provided at the end to the other end side among the plurality of electromagnets 24, an odd number is assigned. A plurality of electromagnets 24 belong to the first group, and a plurality of electromagnets 24 with even numbers belong to the second group. That is, in the music box 10 of the present embodiment, preferably, electromagnets 24 respectively corresponding to starwheels 14 adjacent to each other (eg, electromagnets 24a and 24b in FIG. 3) such as starwheels 14a and 14b shown in FIG. ) Are alternately arranged with a phase difference of 90 ° in the circumferential direction around the axis of the first shaft 12. By adopting such a configuration, the arrangement space of the performance mechanism unit 100 (particularly, the plurality of electromagnets 24) in the music box 10 can be made as small as possible, and the apparatus can be miniaturized.

  FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the positional relationship between the locking member 22 and the star wheel 14 when the locking member 22 is in the locked state. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 5, when the locking member 22 is in the locked state, the contact portion 58 between the protrusion 36 and the plate member 50 of the locking member 22, and the rotation center C <b> 1 of the star wheel 14. And the straight line connecting the contact portion 58 and the rotation center C2 of the locking member 22 are within a specified angle range centered on a right angle (= 90 °). The prescribed angle range is, for example, within a range of 90 ° ± 10 °. When the angle θ is smaller than the prescribed angle range, the locking member 22 is easily removed from the locking by the protrusion 36, and the locking member 22 is difficult to lock the star wheel 14. When the angle θ is larger than the prescribed angle range, a relatively large force is required to pull out the locking member 22 in order to release the locking member 22 from being locked by the protrusion 36, and it becomes difficult to pull out. If the angle θ is within a specified angle range, it is possible to prevent the locking by the locking member 22 from being released when the electromagnet 24 is in a non-excited state, while the electromagnet 24 is excited by the locking member 22. The locking can be preferably released.

  6-12 is a figure explaining the specific operation | movement of the performance mechanism part 100 in the music box 10 comprised as mentioned above. During performance by the music box 10, the first shaft 12 and the third shaft 26 are always rotated synchronously around their respective axes by driving the motor 32, as indicated by arrows in FIG. The first shaft 12 and the third shaft 26 are driven to rotate in the opposite directions. Preferably, the projection 36 provided on the star wheel 14 of the first shaft 12 causes the vibration valve 18 of the diaphragm 16 to move. It is rotated in the direction of flipping from below to above. The third shaft 26 is rotated in the direction in which the star wheel 14 is rotationally driven, that is, the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 6 in a state where the outer peripheral teeth 40 of the sun wheel 28 and the gear portion 38 of the star wheel 14 are engaged with each other. . The rotation direction of the third shaft 26 is opposite to the rotation direction of the first shaft 12. Since the plurality of sun wheels 28 are provided so as not to rotate relative to the third shaft 26, during the performance by the music box 10, each of the sun shafts 28 always rotates around the respective axis as the third shaft 26 rotates around the axis. Has been rotated.

  FIG. 6 illustrates the operation when the locking member 22 is in the locked state. As shown in FIG. 6, when the corresponding electromagnet 24 is not energized and the electromagnet 24 is in a non-excited state, the plate member 50 of the locking member 22 is biased by the snap spring 56. . Thereby, the locking member 22 is turned to the star wheel 14 side, and is brought into a locked state in which at least one of the plurality of protrusions 36 provided on the star wheel 14 is locked. That is, the tip end portion of the plate member 50 is brought into contact with the rotation direction side (the rotation progress side) of the first shaft 12 in at least one of the plurality of protrusions 36. As described above, the star wheel 14 is configured to be rotated following the first shaft 12 by the frictional force at the contact portion with the first shaft 12. In the state shown in FIG. 6, the locking member 22 is in the locked state, so that the follow-up rotation of the star wheel 14 with respect to the first shaft 12 is prevented against the frictional force at the contact portion. In other words, the phase of the star wheel 14 around the axis of the first shaft 12 (the positional relationship with respect to the vibration valve 18 and the like) remains fixed, and the assembly hole 46 and the first shaft 12 in the star wheel 14 are fixed. They are in a state where they are relatively rotated while sliding with a light load on the contact surface. In such a state, the gear portion 38 of the star wheel 14 is in a position where it does not mesh with the outer peripheral teeth 40 of the sun wheel 28, and the rotation of the sun wheel 28 does not affect the rotation of the star wheel 14.

  FIG. 7 illustrates the operation when the locking member 22 is switched from the locked state to the non-locked state. When the electromagnet 24 is energized from the state shown in FIG. 6, the energized electromagnet 24 is in an excited state. Then, the plate member 50 of the locking member 22 rotates in a direction (first rotation direction) away from the star wheel 14 about the second shaft 20 against the biasing force of the snap spring 56 by the magnetic force of the electromagnet 24. Be made. Thereby, it is set as the non-locking state in which the locking of the projection part 36 by the plate member 50 is released. That is, the star wheel 14 is brought into a state in which the star wheel 14 is rotated following the first shaft 12 by the frictional force at the contact portion with the first shaft 12. Here, immediately after the electromagnet 24 is energized and released from the state shown in FIG. 6, the plate member 50 is preferably separated from the star wheel 14 as shown in FIG. That is, there is a state in which there is a predetermined interval between the concave portion 74 and the protruding portion 36.

  FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a portion surrounded by a broken line in FIG. In the non-locking state shown in FIG. 7, the magnetic member 52 and the tip of the shaft center of the electromagnet 24 are brought closest to each other, but in this state, between the electromagnet 24 and the magnetic member 52, as shown in FIG. 8. Is a non-contact space with a space of the interval d. Preferably, the surface of the magnetic member 52 on the electromagnet 24 side is a partially cylindrical curved surface 52 a centering on the second shaft 20. For this reason, even if the locking member 22 is rotated around the second shaft 20, the distance d between the electromagnet 24 and the magnetic member 52 does not change.

  FIG. 9 illustrates an operation in which the protrusion 36 of the star wheel 14 plays the sound by playing the vibration valve 18 of the diaphragm 16. The locking member 22 is brought into the non-locking state, and the locking of the protrusion 36 by the plate member 50 is released. Thereafter, the star wheel 14 is rotated following the first shaft 12 by the frictional force at the contact portion with the first shaft 12. Then, as shown in FIG. 9, in the vicinity of the phase where one of the plurality of protrusions 36 is brought into contact with the vibration valve 18 of the diaphragm 16, the rotation direction side adjacent to the protrusion 36 (that is, the rotation direction). The gear portion 38 corresponding to the projection portion 36 (with a 90 ° phase difference between the two) is meshed with the outer peripheral teeth 40 of the sun wheel 28. In this state, the rotation of the sun wheel 28 drives the star wheel 14 in the direction indicated by the arrow in FIG. 9, that is, the direction in which the protrusion 36 flips the vibration valve 18 of the diaphragm 16 upward from below. By such an operation, the vibration valve 18 is repelled by the protrusion 36, and a musical tone corresponding to the vibration valve 18 is produced.

  The concave portion 74 is formed in a concave shape along the outer peripheral surface 72 of the star wheel 14 on the surface facing the star wheel 14. After the locking of the locking member 22 and the protruding portion 36 is released, the protruding portion 36 is brought into sliding contact with the concave portion 74 according to the rotation of the star wheel 14 around the first shaft 12. FIG. 9 shows a state in which the protrusion 36 of the star wheel 14 is brought into contact with the concave portion 74. From the state shown in FIG. 7 to the state shown in FIG. 9, after the protrusion 36 is gradually brought closer to the concave part 74 according to the rotation of the star wheel 14, the sliding contact is started and then a smooth transition is made. In the state shown in FIG. 9, even when the electromagnet 24 is switched from the excited state to the non-excited state, and the locking member 22 is pressed against the star wheel 14 by the urging force of the snap spring 56, the protrusion 36 is solid. Thus, it cannot be rotated beyond the state shown in FIG.

  Preferably, the electromagnet 24 is switched from the excited state to the non-excited state after the protrusion 36 of the star wheel 14 is brought into contact with the concave portion 74. In other words, after the locking of the locking member 22 and the protruding portion 36 is released, the electromagnet 24 is moved from the excited state in a state where the protruding portion 36 is brought into sliding contact with the concave portion 74 according to the rotation of the star wheel 14. Switch to de-energized state. The electromagnet excitation / non-excitation control unit 66 shown in FIG. 14 performs control to switch the electromagnet 24 from the excited state to the non-excited state as described above. In other words, in a state where the protrusion 36 is brought into sliding contact with the concave portion 74 according to the rotation of the star wheel 14, the electromagnet 24 is switched from the excited state to the non-excited state so that the electromagnet 24 is switched to the non-excited state. The time until switching to the state is determined in advance.

  10 and 11 illustrate a state in which the protrusion 36 is brought into sliding contact with the concave portion 74 as the star wheel 14 rotates. When the star wheel 14 is further rotated from the state shown in FIG. 9, the locking member 22 gradually approaches the outer peripheral surface 72 of the star wheel 14 according to the rotation. The concave portion 74 has a concave shape along the outer peripheral surface 72 of the star wheel 14. For this reason, when the projection part 36 which contacts the recessed part 74 is slid toward the 2nd axis | shaft 20 side (base end part side) in the locking member 22 according to rotation of the star wheel 14, from FIG. 10 to FIG. As shown in this transition, the tip of the locking member 22 is gradually brought closer to the outer peripheral surface 72 of the star wheel 14.

  FIG. 12 illustrates a state in which the locking member 22 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface 72 of the star wheel 14 in accordance with the rotation of the star wheel 14. When the star wheel 14 is further rotated from the state shown in FIG. 11, the distal end portion of the locking member 22 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface 72 of the star wheel 14 as shown in FIG. 12. The protrusion 36 that is brought into sliding contact with the concave portion 74 is preferably separated from the concave portion 74 after the distal end portion of the locking member 22 is brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface 72 of the star wheel 14. In other words, after the star wheel 14 and the locking member 22 corresponding to the star wheel 14 are brought into contact with the outer peripheral surface 72 of the star wheel 14 in accordance with the rotation of the star wheel 14, The protrusion 36 is disposed at a relative position where the protrusion 36 is separated from the concave portion 74. As shown in FIG. 12, in a state where the distal end portion of the locking member 22 is in contact with the outer peripheral surface 72 of the star wheel 14, the locking member 22 is directed toward the star wheel 14 by the biasing force of the snap spring 56. Even if it is pressed, it cannot be rotated beyond the state shown in FIG. With the configuration as described above, it is possible to suitably suppress the generation of impact sound due to the locking member 22 hitting the outer peripheral surface 72.

  As shown in FIGS. 10 to 12, after the projecting portion 36 bounces the vibration valve 18, the star wheel 14 is further rotated to follow the first shaft 12, so that the gear portion 38 and the outer peripheral teeth 40 of the sun wheel 28. Will not mesh again. That is, after returning to the state shown in FIG. 6 through the operation shown in FIGS.

  The locking member 22 of the present embodiment may include a permanent magnet as a magnetic member that generates an action of rotating the locking member 22 in the first rotation direction by the magnetic force of the electromagnet 24 when the electromagnet 24 is excited. . The permanent magnet is preferably provided integrally with the plate member 50 at a position where a repulsive force (repulsive force between the same kind of magnetic poles) is generated with the electromagnet 24 when the electromagnet 24 is in an excited state. The synthetic resin member 54 may be insert-molded. The plate member 50 of the locking member 22 opposes the bias by the snap spring 56 due to the magnetic force of the electromagnet 24, that is, the repulsive force between the electromagnet 24 and the permanent magnet. Thereby, the locking member 22 is rotated in a direction (first rotation direction) away from the star wheel 14 about the second shaft 20, and the locking of the protrusion 36 by the plate member 50 is released. The non-locking state.

  The preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail with reference to the drawings. However, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and may be implemented in other modes.

  That is, the present invention is not limited to the configuration described above with reference to FIGS. For example, the number of protrusions 36 provided on the star wheel 14 is not limited to four, and may not be provided every 90 ° in the circumferential direction. The gear part 38 in the star wheel 14 does not necessarily have to be provided at a position corresponding to the protrusion 36, and may be provided at a position having a different phase in the circumferential direction. The plurality of electromagnets 24 and the locking member 22 belonging to the first group and the plurality of electromagnets 24 and the locking member 22 belonging to the second group are 90 ° in the circumferential direction around the axis of the first shaft 12. For example, all the electromagnets 24 may be arranged in a line on the same plane. Conversely, in the case where five or more protrusions 36 are provided in the circumferential direction of the star wheel 14, the plurality of electromagnets 24 and the locking members 22 according to the number of protrusions 36 provided on the star wheel 14. However, it may be arranged at a position corresponding to three or more phases with a predetermined phase difference in the circumferential direction around the axis of the first shaft 12. As a configuration for locking the star wheel 14, two or more locking members 22 may be provided corresponding to each star wheel 14. The ECU 60 may be connected to a communication line such as the Internet, and the score data may be downloaded via the communication line and stored in the score database 62. In addition, the shape of the star wheel 14, the configuration of the locking member 22 (the shape of the plate member 50), the relative position of each configuration, and the like are appropriately changed according to the design of the music box. For example, the gear portion 38 does not necessarily have to be provided with two teeth, and the gear portion 38 is driven from the sun wheel 28 by a distance and time sufficient for the projection portion 36 to flip the corresponding diaphragm 16 (vibration valve 18). What is necessary is just to provide the gear part of 1 tooth or 3 teeth or more.

  In addition, although not illustrated one by one, the present invention is implemented with various modifications within a range not departing from the gist thereof.

  10: music box, 12: first shaft, 14: star wheel, 16: diaphragm, 18: vibration valve, 20: second shaft, 22: locking member, 24: electromagnet, 36: protrusion, 56: snap spring (Biasing member), 60: ECU (control unit), 72: outer peripheral surface, 74: concave portion

Claims (5)

A plurality of star wheels provided with a plurality of protrusions toward the radially outer side and rotatably provided about the first axis;
A diaphragm provided with a plurality of vibration valves respectively corresponding to the plurality of star wheels along the first axis;
A plurality of locking members provided to be rotatable about a second axis provided side by side with the first axis, and corresponding to the plurality of star wheels, respectively;
A plurality of electromagnets respectively corresponding to the plurality of locking members;
A first state corresponding to energization of each of the plurality of electromagnets or a second state having a magnetic force weaker than the first state, and
When the control unit controls the electromagnet to the first state, the locking member rotates in the first rotation direction about the second axis by the magnetic force of the electromagnet, and the locking member The locking with the protrusion is released,
When the electromagnet is controlled to the second state by the control unit, the locking member rotates in the opposite direction to the first rotation direction, and locks at least one of the protrusions on the star wheel. ,
The music box, wherein the locking member includes a concave portion that is recessed in a concave shape along an outer peripheral surface of the star wheel on a surface facing the star wheel. After the engagement between the locking member and the protrusion is released, the concave portion is brought into sliding contact with the concave portion according to the rotation of the star wheel, and further according to the rotation of the star wheel. The music box according to claim 1, wherein the locking member has a shape that allows the locking member to approach the outer peripheral surface of the star wheel. An urging member that urges the locking member in a direction to rotate toward the star wheel;
When the electromagnet is controlled to the second state by the control unit, the locking member is energized by the energizing member to cause at least one of the plurality of protrusions provided on the star wheel. When the electromagnet is controlled to be in the first state by the control unit, the locking member is centered on the second axis with respect to urging by the urging member by the magnetic force of the electromagnet. The music box according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the music box is rotated in a first rotation direction and the locking of the protrusion is released. The controller is configured to switch the electromagnet from the first state to the second state after a predetermined time after switching the electromagnet from the second state to the first state. The music box according to any one of claims 1 to 3. After the locking of the locking member and the protruding portion is released, the electromagnet is moved from the first state to the first state in a state where the protruding portion is brought into sliding contact with the concave portion according to the rotation of the star wheel. The music box according to claim 4, wherein the music box is switched to two states.

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