Variable inductor mechanism.

摘要

A variable inductor mechanism comprises a coil (1) and influencing means (15) supported on or forming part of a flexible tape (5) movable longitudinally in a direction generally transverse to the coil axis to influence the inductance of the coil (1) in dependence of the transverse position of the influencing means (15) relative to the coil axis. The influencing means (15) may be a conductive layer or any other means which is applied to or forms part of the tape (5), in a non-uniform manner, so that as different parts of the tape (5) intersect the coil axis, they will have a different influence on the coil's inductance. The mechanism is particularly suited to miniaturisation, and could be used as a wrist radio tuner and incorporate a tuning scale (10) on the tape (5) visble through a window (18) in a casing (14), and the tape (5) can be advanced by the tape passing round sprockets (7) and (9), one of which is supported on a control shaft (8).