Rotating display element and display unit using the same

Claim 2

A rotating display element, characterized by the provision of a display surface member having a plurality of display surfaces, and a permanent magnet type motor mechanism; wherein the display surface member is mounted on the rotor of the permanent magnet type motor mechanism so that it incorporates therein the permanent magnet type motor mechanism; wherein the plurality of display surfaces of the display surface member are arranged side by side around the axis of the rotor; wherein either one of the rotor and stator of the permanet magnet type motor mechanism has first and second double-pole permanent magnet members respectively having north and south magnetic poles and disposed side by side in the direction of extension of the axis of the rotor; wherein the north and south magnetic poles of the first double-pole permanent magnet member are disposed around the axis of the rotor at an angular distance of 180° from each other; wherein the north and south magnetic poles of the second double-pole permanent magnet member are disposed around the axis of the rotor at an angular distance of ±α° (where α° has a value represented by O°≦α°<180°) from the north and south magnetic poles of the first double-pole permanent magnet member and at an angular distance of 180° from each other; wherein the other of the rotor and the stator of the permanent magnet type motor has a first magnetic member provided with first and second magnetic poles acting on the north and south magnetic poles of the first double-pole permanent magnet member, a second magnetic member provided with third and fourth magnetic poles acting on the north and south magnetic poles of the second double-pole permanent magnet member, a first exciting winding wound on the first magnetic member in manner to excite the first and second magnetic poles in reverse polarities, and a second exciting winding wound on the second magnetic member in a manner to excite the third and fourth magnetic poles in reverse polarities; wherein the first and second magnetic poles of the first magnetic member are disposed around the axis of the rotor at an angular distance of 180°; and wherein the third and fourth magnetic poles of the second magnetic member are disposed around the axis of the rotor at an angular distance of ±90°±α° from the first and second magnetic poles of the first magnetic member and at an angular distance of 180° from each other.

Claim 3

A rotating display element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the first and second magnetic poles of the first magnetic member and the third and fourth magnetic poles of the second magnetic member each extend around the axis of the rotor over an angular distance of about 90°.

Claim 4

A rotating display element as claimed in claim 1, characterized in that the number of the plurality of display surface of the display surface member is four.

Claim 5

A display unit, characterized by the provision of a rotating display element and a drive unit for driving the rotating display element; wherein the rotating display element is provided with a display surface member having a plurality of display surfaces, and a permanent magnet type motor mechanism; wherein the display surface member is mounted on the rotor of the permanent magnet type motor mechanism so that it incorporates therein the permanent magnet type motor mechanism; wherein the plurality of display surfaces of the display surface member are arranged side by side around the axis of the rotor; wherein either one of the rotor or the stator of the permanet magnet type motor mechanism has first and second double-pole permanent magnet members respectively having north and south magnetic poles and disposed side by side in the direction of extension of the axis of the rotor; wherein the north and south magnetic poles of the first double-pole permanent magnet member are disposed around the axis of the rotor at an angular distance of 180° from each other; wherein the north and south magnetic poles of the second double-pole permanent magnet member are disposed around the axis of the rotor at an angular distance of ±α° (where α° has a value represented by O°≦α°<180°) from the north and south magnetic poles of the first double-pole permanent magnet member and at an angular distance of 180° from each other; wherein the other of the rotor and the stator of the permanent magnet type motor mechanism has a first magnetic member provided with first and second magnetic poles acting on the north and south magnetic poles of the first double-pole permanent magnet member, a second magnetic member provided with third and fourth magnetic poles acting on the north and south magnetic poles of the second double-pole permanent magnet member, a first exciting winding wound on the first magnetic member in manner to excite the first and second magnetic poles in reverse polarities, and a second exciting winding wound on the second magnetic member in a manner to excite the third and fourth magnetic poles in reverse polarities; wherein the first and second magnetic poles of the first magnetic member are disposed around the axis of the rotor at an angular distance of 180°; wherein the third and fourth magnetic poles of the second magnetic member are disposed around the axis of the rotor at an angular distance of ±90°±α° from the first and second magnetic poles of the first magnetic member and at an angular distance of 180° from each other; and wherein the drive unit has first power supply means for supplying power to the first winding so that the first and second magnetic poles of the first magnetic member are magnetized with the north and south magnetic poles, respectively; second power supply means for supplying power to the first exciting winding so that the first and second magnetic poles of the first magnetic member are magnetized with the south and north magnetic poles, respectively; third power supply means for supplying power to the second exciting winding so that the third and fourth magnetic poles of the second magnetic member are magnetized with the north and south magnetic poles, respectively; and fourth power supply means for supplying power to the second exciting winding so that the third and fourth magnetic poles of the second magnetic member are magnetized with the south and north magnetic poles, respectively.

Claim 6

A display unit, characterized by the provision of a rotating display element and a drive unit for driving the rotating display element; wherein the rotating display element is provided with a display surface member having a plurality of display surfaces, and a permanent magnet type motor mechanism; wherein the display surface member is mounted on the rotor of the permanent magnet type motor mechanism so that it incorporates therein the permanent magnet type motor mechanism; wherein the plurality of display surfaces of the display surface member are arranged side by side around the axis of the rotor; wherein either one of the rotor or the stator of the permanet magnet type motor mechanism has first and second double-pole permanent magnet members respectively having north and south magnetic poles and disposed side by side in the direction of extension of the axis of the rotor; wherein the north and south magnetic poles of the first double-pole permanent magnet member are disposed around the axis of the rotor at an angular distance of 180° from each other; wherein the north and south magnetic poles of the second double-pole permanent magnet member are disposed around the axis of the rotor at an angular distance of ±α° (where α° has a value represented by O°≦α°<180°) from the north and south magnetic poles of the first double-pole permanent magnet member and at an angular distance of 180° from each other; wherein the other of the rotor and the stator of the permanent magnet type motor mechanism has a first magnetic member provided with first and second magnetic poles acting on the north and south magnetic poles of the first double-pole permanent magnet member, a second magnetic member provided with third and fourth magnetic poles acting on the north and south magnetic poles of the second double-pole permanent magnet member, a first exciting winding wound on the first magnetic member in manner to excite the first and second magnetic poles in reverse polarities, and a second exciting winding wound on the second magnetic member in a manner to excite the third and fourth magnetic poles in reverse polarities; wherein the first and second magnetic poles of the first magnetic member are disposed around the axis of the rotor at an angular distance of 180°; wherein the third and fourth magnetic poles of the second magnetic member are disposed around the axis of the rotor at an angular distance of ±90°±α° from the first and second magnetic poles of the first magnetic member and at an angular distance of 180° from each other; and wherein the drive unit has first power supply means for supplying power to the first winding so that the first and second magnetic poles of the first magnetic member are magnetized with the north and south magnetic poles, respectively; second power supply means for supplying power to the first exciting winding so that the first and second magnetic poles of the first magnetic member are magnetized with the south and north magnetic poles, respectively; third power supply means for supplying power to the second exciting winding so that the third and fourth magnetic poles of the second magnetic member are magnetized with the north and south magnetic poles, respectively; and fourth power supply means for supplying power to the second exciting winding so that the third and fourth magnetic poles of the second magnetic member are magnetized with the south and north magnetic poles, respectively.