Blinker board is an electromechanical bistable sign-synthesizing indicator with a matrix principle of image formation. Used in information boards of airports, train stations, stadiums, gas stations and routeing .
It consists of many cells in which the plates are located, painted from different sides in different colors. An electromagnet is located under each cell, and the plate can be mechanically connected to a permanent magnet, or it can itself be magnetized. When current is applied to an electromagnet, depending on polarity, the plate is rotated by one or the other side. After turning off the current, the plate remains in the same position.
For illumination in the dark of the day can be used to illuminate the entire matrix, the use of fluorescent paint or lights using LEDs . The latter, in this case, are connected through a reed switch , which is switched by the field of the same electromagnet, which drives the plate.
Benefits:
- Low power consumption: with sufficient natural light, electricity is consumed only at the moment of switching.
- Good readability in bright light, as the scoreboard works in reflected light.
Disadvantages:
- Relatively long switching time.
- When switching, a slight noise is created (which may be an advantage, as it attracts attention at the time of a rare update of information).
- Low reliability due to the presence of a large number of mechanical elements, which, in particular, more than the segmented mechanical scoreboard .