Patent GB-779620-A (GB)
Title: Improvements in or relating to punched record card sorting machines
Inventor: RENNER RUDOLF
IPC: G06K13/067
Filed: 1955-05-25
Abstract: 779,620. Statistical apparatus. VEB. BUCHUNGSMASCHINENWERK KARL - MARXSTADT. May 25, 1955, No. 15086/55. Class 106 (1). Sorting cards.-In a machine for sorting punched record cards of the kind using electrical sensing means and having sorting deflectors operated at the correct time by a data storage device, means are provided which on the completion of any particular sorting operation automatically switch off the driving motor of the machine with a time lag, which is long enough to allow cards already sensed to be sorted into their appropriate compartments before the machine stops and means are provided which, in the event of faults or obstructions developing, effect automatic switching-off of the driving motor without any time lag. The control circuit of the machine has a D.C. supply for the sensing means and for the control relays A, B, C, D and a 3-phase A.C. supply for the driving motor, the motor being switched on by contacts d2, d3, d4 of relay D. To start the sorting process button 1 is pressed, connecting relay B between line 10 through contacts 2 to line 4. Relay C is connected through contacts 3 to line 4 and is energized. When relay C picks up contacts c1 c2 close and apply D.C. voltage to lines 9, 10 so that relay B is picked up. During the time relay C is picking up condensers 5, 6 are charged through normally closed contacts c4, c3 which open as soon as contacts c1, c2 close. As soon as relay B is picked up contacts b3 close to energize relay D, thereby switching the motor on and starting the feed of cards. The first card engages card lever 24 to close the contacts 25 and 14, thereby picking up relay A, connected to line 10 and through contacts c1 to the source. Current for the sensing operation is also supplied through contacts c1 The contact 14 connects line 9 with sensing roller 15, brush 16 being connected to a pulse controlling contact 17 and a distributer 18 serving to pick up relays 19 according to the value of the data sensed on the card. When the machine attains normal speed a centrifugal switch 26 closes so that relay B is held picked by a circuit from line 9 through cam switch 27, switch 26, contacts a2, b1. The cam switch transfers its contacts during the time no card lies under brush 16 and the relay B is then held by current passing through roller 15 and brush 16. The effect of condensers 5, 6 during switching on is this: if the press-button contacts 2, 3 only close for a very short period, the condensers having first been charged through contacts c3, c4 while the relays are picking up then discharge through the relay coils C and B to hold these relays in the picked condition until the normal holding circuits are established. After the last card has passed through the sensing station, the card lever 24 returns to the normal position and contacts 25, 14 open. This de-energizes relay A, contacts a2 open and contacts a1 tranfer to the position shown. Relay B is still held picked for a certain interval by condenser 5 discharging through the coil through contacts b2 and a1. When relay B drops out contact b3 opens and de-energizes relay D to switch off the driving motor. Relay C is normally held through resistor 22 and contact d1. When relay D is de-energized the condenser 6 discharges through the coil of relay C to hold it picked for a further period so that the card sorting magnets remain energized at least until the motion of the machine stops, the last card having by this time reached the appropriate pocket. Additional contacts 12, 13 disconnect the motor without time-lag when a sorting pocket is filled, when a glass 1id covering the card track is opened or when other faults occur. A button 11 has a similar effect. A slipping clutch between the motor and the machine allows the machine to slow down or stop in the event of certain faults, the centrifugal switch 26 then opening to break the holding current of relay B and switching off the motor without time-lag.