JP2005137765A - Reel unit - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a reel unit eliminating looseness between reduction gears and frames in the reel unit disposed with the reduction gears at the center parts of frame bodies composing rotation reels so as to be integrally rotated. <P>SOLUTION: The reel unit includes the frame bodies 30, and has rotation reels each formed with a plurality of kinds of symbols on the outer peripheral surface, driving motors for driving the rotation reels, and the reduction gears 40 each reducing the output of the driving motor and disposed at the center part of the frame body 30 so as to be integrally rotated with the frame body. An engaging portion is formed radially outside the center part of the frame body 30, and an engaged portion 40d engaged with the engaging portion formed at the frame body 30 is formed at a corresponding position of the reduction gear 40. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2005,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a reel unit including a rotating reel that is incorporated in a gaming machine such as a slot machine and has a plurality of types of symbols continuously formed on an outer peripheral surface thereof.

  For example, a gaming machine such as a slot machine incorporates a reel unit that rotatably supports a rotating reel on which a plurality of types of symbols are continuously formed. Usually, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, the reel unit of the slot machine supports three rotating reels on the same axis, and all the rotating reels are operated by the player operating the start lever. Is driven, and each rotary reel is controlled to stop by operating a stop button. Then, when the exposed symbol of each stopped rotating reel becomes a predetermined symbol (when a winning combination is established), a reward game medium (medal, coin, etc.) is paid out to the player.

  The reel unit described above generally includes a stepping motor corresponding to each rotating reel, as disclosed in Patent Document 1, and the output shaft of each stepping motor is used as a central shaft hole of the rotating reel. By directly fitting, each rotary reel is driven and stopped.

On the other hand, in the reel unit having the above-described configuration, the applicant of the present patent application can move the stepping motor from the central axis of the rotating reel so that the stepping motor disposed corresponding to each rotating reel can be reduced in the previous application. A technique has been proposed in which a reduction transmission mechanism (reduction gear) is arranged between the output shaft of the stepping motor and the central axis of the rotary reel, which is arranged at the shifted position (Patent Document 2). In such a configuration, the central shaft hole of the frame body constituting each rotary reel is formed in a non-circular cross section, and here, a non-circular cross-sectional protrusion formed in the central portion of the reduction gear So that they can rotate together.
JP-A-10-71240 Japanese Patent Application No. 2003-131411

  By the way, as disclosed in Patent Document 2 described above, in the technique of fitting the reduction gear into the central shaft hole of the frame of the rotary reel, the fitting state is caused by the production error of both of them, deterioration of the fitting portion, and the like. It may not be reliably maintained, and this may cause a problem that rattling occurs between the two. When such rattling occurs, for example, when the rotating stepping motor is stopped, the reduction gear is also stopped accordingly, but a certain amount of inertial force acts on the rotating reel in the rotating direction. The backlash causes a difference in both stop speeds. And when viewed from the player's side, the design at the time of stopping is somewhat shifted from the position where it should originally stop, or the backlash of the rotating reel can be visually recognized at the time of stopping. The problem that it ends up occurs.

  The present invention has been proposed by paying attention to the above-described problems, and in a reel unit in which a reduction gear is disposed so as to be integrally rotatable at a central portion of a frame body constituting a rotating reel, the present invention is provided between the reduction gear and the frame. An object of the present invention is to provide a reel unit that does not cause backlash.

  In order to solve the above-described problem, a reel unit according to claim 1 includes a rotating reel having a frame body and a plurality of types of symbols formed on an outer peripheral surface, a driving motor that drives the rotating reel, and the driving The motor has a speed reduction gear, and a reduction gear disposed so as to rotate integrally with the frame body between the frame body and the central portion of the frame body, and radially outward of the central portion of the frame body. An engaging portion is formed, and an engaged portion that is engaged with the engaging portion formed on the frame body is formed at a position corresponding to the reduction gear.

  According to the above-described configuration, since both the rotating reel and the reduction gear are fixed so as to be integrally rotatable by the engaging portion and the engaged portion on the radially outer side of the central portion of the reduction reel, The looseness that is likely to occur when the rotating reel rotates is effectively suppressed. That is, in the portion where the large inertial force of the rotating reel acts (the radially outer portion with respect to the central portion), the engaging portion and the engaged portion are respectively provided so as to prevent rotation between the rotating reel and the reduction gear. By forming the joint portion, it is possible to effectively prevent both rotations, and it is possible to effectively prevent rattling that occurs at the time of starting and stopping the rotation. As a result, when the rotating reel is stopped or started, a visual discomfort is felt such that the symbols formed on the surface of the rotating reel are shifted or the backlash is visually recognized. Giving is prevented.

  The invention according to claim 2 of the present invention is characterized in that the engaging portion and the engaged portion are formed at substantially equal positions along the circumferential direction.

  According to such a configuration, since the inertial force acting in the circumferential direction acts equally on the engaging portion and the engaged portion, there is no backlash between the frame body of the rotating reel and the reduction gear. It becomes possible to suppress more effectively.

  In the invention according to claim 3 of the present invention, the frame body and the reduction gear are formed in a fitting hole formed in a central portion of the frame body and in a central portion of the reduction gear, and the fitting hole The engagement projection is a rib formed on the peripheral wall that defines the fitting hole, and is formed in a plurality of radially outward directions. The engaged portion is a recess fitted into the rib around the engaging protrusion of the reduction gear.

  In such a configuration, since the rotary reel and the reduction gear are fitted and fixed at the central portion thereof, it is possible to more reliably suppress the rattling of both when starting and stopping the rotary reel. . Further, in the frame body generally constituting the rotary reel, the reinforcing rib formed on the peripheral wall defining the fitting hole in the central portion is used as it is, so that the fitting protrusion of the reduction gear is simply used. It is only necessary to form a recess into which the rib fits around the area, and it is possible to reduce the labor of processing and the like.

  According to the reel unit of the present invention, the rotating reel and the reduction gear are fixed so as to be integrally rotatable by the engaging portion and the engaged portion on the radially outer side of each central portion. At the time of starting and stopping the rotating reel, it is possible to effectively suppress the looseness of the rotating reel that is likely to occur due to the inertial force, so that a symbol formed on the surface of the rotating reel is provided to the player side. It is possible to prevent a sense of incongruity such as a shift or a looseness being visually recognized.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of a reel unit according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an embodiment of a slot machine according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a view showing a schematic configuration of a reel unit incorporated in the slot machine.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the slot machine 1 includes a box 3 having a door (front door) 2 that can be opened and closed on the front surface. The door 2 is provided with a game area 2a approximately above the center of the front surface of the door 2, and rectangular window frames 4L, 4C, 4R that expose respective rotating reels 3L, 3C, 3R of a reel unit described later. Is provided. A symbol row composed of a plurality of types of symbols is drawn on the outer peripheral surface of each rotating reel, and the symbols drawn on each rotating reel can be visually recognized through the window frames 4L, 4C, 4R. Yes. Each rotating reel is configured to be capable of constant speed rotation (for example, 80 rotations / minute).

  A substantially horizontal plane pedestal 5 is formed below the game area 2a, and a BET button 6 for betting medals credited by a push button operation is provided on the left side thereof. Also, on the right side of the pedestal portion 5, there is provided an insertion slot 7 for inserting a medal as a game medium, and on the left side of the front portion is a push button operation for credit / payout of medals acquired by the player in the game. A C / P button 8 to be switched at is provided. By switching the C / P button, medals are paid out from the medal payout port 9 at the lower front, and the paid-out medals are stored in the medal receiving unit 10.

  On the right side of the C / P button 8, a start lever 12 for rotating the rotating reels 3L, 3C, 3R is rotatably attached within a predetermined angle range by a player's operation. Three stop buttons 13L, 13C, and 13R for stopping the rotation of the three rotary reels 3L, 3C, and 3R described above are provided on the right side of the start lever 12 at the center of the front surface of the pedestal 5, respectively. Is provided.

  The above-described game area 2a is provided with a bonus game information display unit 16, BET lamps 17a to 17c, a payout display unit 18, a credit display unit 19, and the like, which are displayed (lit) according to the game situation. Is done.

  Then, when the player inserts a medal into the insertion slot 7 and operates the start lever 12, the rotating reels 3L, 3C, 3R start rotating, and the player presses the stop buttons 13L, 13C, 13R. Accordingly, the corresponding rotating reels 3L, 3C, 3R stop rotating. When the rotation is stopped, a winning mode is determined by a combination of symbols of the rotating reels visually recognized through the window frames 4L, 4C, and 4R, and the number of medals corresponding to the winning mode is paid out to the medal receiving unit 10.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a schematic configuration of a reel unit installed inside the box 3 of the slot machine shown in FIG.
The reel unit 20 includes a base member, and three mounting plates 21 for rotatably supporting the rotating reels 3L, 3C, 3R are provided adjacent to the base member in parallel. A drive motor 22 is disposed on each mounting plate 21 at a position shifted from the center position of the rotating reel (only the portion of the rotating reel 3L is shown), and driving and stopping of the driving motor 22 are controlled. Thus, rotation and stop control of the rotary reel is performed.

  Here, the configuration of the above-described rotating reel and the configuration of the driving force transmission mechanism disposed between the output shaft of the driving motor and the rotating reel will be described. Since each rotary reel 3L, 3C, 3R is supported on each mounting plate 21 by the same support structure and driving force transmission mechanism, in the following description, the part of the rotary reel 3L will be typically described. To do.

  The rotary reel 3L includes a pair of annular frame bodies 30 and 31 and a symbol sheet 35 on which a continuous symbol row attached to the outer periphery of each frame body 30 and 31 is drawn. As shown in FIG. 3, the annular frame body 30 includes an outer ring portion 30a, a center support portion 30b, and a plurality of spokes 30c connected between the center support portion 30b and the outer ring portion 30a. These are integrally formed of synthetic resin or the like. The frame body 31 facing the frame body 30 is not provided with spokes so as not to interfere with the driving motor 22 and the driving force transmission mechanism fixed to the mounting plate 21, and is constituted by an outer ring portion 31a. Like the frame body 30, it is integrally formed of synthetic resin or the like. It should be noted that the outer ring portions 30a and 31a of both the frame bodies 30 and 31 may be coupled via a coupling member as necessary, and the both frame bodies may be integrally formed.

  The central support portion 30b of the frame body 30 is engaged with an output gear 22a fixed to the output shaft of the drive motor 22 so that the central portion of the reduction gear 40 constituting the drive force transmission mechanism is fitted and fixed. It is configured. Specifically, the center support portion 30b of the frame body 30 includes a fitting hole 30d formed in a non-circular shape (formed substantially in a D shape), and a fitting hole 30d for reinforcing the fitting hole 30d. Are provided with a plurality of ribs 30e formed radially outward at substantially constant intervals, and a circumferential wall portion 30f to which the other end of each rib 30e is connected, with respect to the fitting hole 30d. Thus, the fitting protrusion of the reduction gear 40 is fitted.

  As shown in FIG. 4, the reduction gear 40 has a fitting protrusion 40a having a non-circular cross section (substantially D-shaped) so as to be fitted and fixed in the fitting hole 30d. Projected. A circular hole 40b is formed in the fitting protrusion 40a in the axial direction so as to be rotatably supported by a support shaft (not shown) fixed to the mounting plate 21.

  The frame body 30 and the reduction gear 40 are configured to be integrally rotatable by fitting the fitting protrusions 40a into the fitting holes 30d described above and having a non-circular fitting shape. An engaging part and an engaged part are respectively formed on the outer side in the radial direction of the fitting part (center part) between the two parts, so that both can be rotated more integrally during rotation. Has been.

  In the present embodiment, the engaging portion formed in the frame body 30 is configured by a plurality of ribs 30e formed radially outward on the peripheral wall defining the fitting hole 30d described above. The to-be-engaged portion is formed by recesses 40d formed at substantially equal intervals on an annular wall portion 40c formed to project around the fitting projection 40a. In this case, the recess 40d is formed in a width (substantially the same as the width of the rib 30e) in which the rib 30e is fitted and does not cause backlash, and among the ribs 30e formed at intervals of about 60 °, Three portions are formed at intervals of approximately 120 ° so that every other one is engaged.

The rotating reel 3L and the reduction gear 40 configured as described above are mounted on the mounting plate 21 of the reel unit 20 as follows.
First, the fitting protrusion 40a of the reduction gear 40 is fitted into the fitting hole 30d formed in the center portion of the frame body 30 constituting the rotating reel, and the rib 30e (engagement) of the frame body 30 described above is engaged. Part) is engaged with a recess 40d (engaged part) of the reduction gear 40, and both are integrated. A support shaft (not shown) is fixed to the mounting plate 21, and a circular hole 40 b of the reduction gear 40 integrated with the frame body 30 is inserted into the support shaft 21 to reduce the reduction gear 40. Is rotatably supported by the mounting plate 21. In this state, the reduction gear 40 is in mesh with the output gear 22 a of the drive motor 22.

  Then, the rotating reel 3L is attached to the mounting plate 21 by mounting the vibration suppressing (backlash preventing) spring member 50, the collar member 51, the tightening screw member 52, and the like from the protruding side with respect to the support shaft. Is supported rotatably. The rotating reels 3C and 3R are also rotatably supported with respect to each mounting plate 21 by a similar structure.

  According to the reel unit having the above-described configuration, the rotary reel 3L (3C, 3R) and the reduction gear 40 are configured to be integrally rotatable by the fitting hole 30d and the fitting protrusion 40a at the center thereof, and more than that. Further, since the rotation is fixed by the rib 30e and the recess 40d on the radially outer side, the effect of the rotation prevention of both is increased, and it is possible to reliably prevent rattling or the like from occurring at the time of start and stop, and rotation. When the reels are stopped or started, it prevents the player from giving a visual discomfort to the player, such as the symbols formed on the surface of the rotating reel being shifted or the backlash being visually recognized. Is done. That is, when the high load is applied to the rotating reel, the inertial force of the rotating reel is concentrated on the center fitting portion, and also when starting the high load is applied to the reduction gear. Because of the large force that acts, if there is a manufacturing error or aging in the mating part of both, it will cause backlash, etc., but both are locked and fixed radially outward from the mating area Since it comprised in this way, the effect as a rotation stopper becomes large and it becomes possible to prevent backlash etc. effectively.

  Further, in the present embodiment, the engaging portion (rib 30e) of the frame body 30 that locks and fixes the both and the engaged portion (recess 40d) of the reduction gear 40 are arranged on the radially outer side of the fitting region. Since each is formed at a substantially equal position along the circumferential direction, the inertial force in the circumferential direction can be applied equally to each part, and the backlash between the rotating reel 3L and the reduction gear 40 can be It becomes possible to suppress more effectively. Further, in the above-described configuration, in the frame body 30 that generally constitutes the rotary reel 3L, the reinforcing rib 30e formed on the peripheral wall that defines the fitting hole 30d at the center portion is used as it is. It is only necessary to form the recess 40d into which each rib is fitted around the fitting projection of the reduction gear 40, and it is possible to reduce the labor of processing and the like.

  As mentioned above, although embodiment of this invention was described, this invention can be variously deformed and implemented in addition to the above-described embodiment. For example, the engaging portion and the engaged portion described above are formed radially outward from the center portions of the frame body 30 and the reduction gear 40, and are configured to be prevented from rotating between the two. It is sufficient that the both engagement methods can be variously modified. For example, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, a recess 30 g serving as an engagement portion is formed in the circumferential wall portion 30 f on the frame body 30 side, and around the fitting protrusion 40 a of the reduction gear 40, A protrusion 40e that fits into the recess 30g may be formed. Of course, in such a configuration, it is preferable to arrange the recesses 30g and the protrusions 40e at substantially equal intervals along the circumferential direction.

  Further, the structure of the frame body 30 constituting the rotating reel, the arrangement of the driving force transmission mechanism, the method of supporting the rotating reel with respect to the reel unit, and the like can be modified as appropriate. Furthermore, the frame body 30 and the reduction gear 40 only need to be configured to be integrally rotatable. Contrary to the above-described embodiment, the fitting protrusion is provided in the frame body and the fitting hole is provided in the reduction gear. It may be a configuration. Alternatively, it is also possible to prevent the rotation of both the locking part and the locked part without providing a fitting hole or a fitting protrusion at the center part of the frame body 30 and the reduction gear 40. good.

  The present invention can be applied to various gaming machines in which a reel unit including a rotating reel is incorporated in addition to the slot machine described in the above embodiment.

The perspective view which shows one structural example of the slot machine in which the reel unit based on this invention is integrated. The perspective view which shows schematic structure of a reel unit. The perspective view which shows a part of frame body which comprises the rotating reel supported rotatably by a reel unit. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a mounting relationship between the frame body and the reduction gear shown in FIG. 3. It is a figure which shows the modification of this invention, and is a perspective view which shows a part of frame body which comprises a rotation reel. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a mounting relationship between the frame body and the reduction gear shown in FIG. 5.

Explanation of symbols

1 slot machine 3L, 3C, 3R rotary reel 20 reel unit 22 drive motor 30, 31 frame body 30e rib (engagement part)
30g recess (engagement part)
40 Reduction gear 40d Recess (engaged part)
40e Projection (engaged part)

Claims (3)

A rotating reel having a frame body and having a plurality of types of symbols formed on the outer peripheral surface;
A drive motor for driving the rotating reel;
A reel unit that decelerates the output of the drive motor and has a reduction gear disposed so as to be rotatable integrally with the frame body between the center portion of the frame body,
An engaging portion is formed radially outward of the central portion of the frame body, and an engaged portion that is engaged with the engaging portion formed on the frame body is formed at a corresponding position of the reduction gear. Reel unit characterized by that.   The reel unit according to claim 1, wherein the engaging portion and the engaged portion are formed at substantially equal positions along the circumferential direction. The frame body and the reduction gear are prevented from rotating by a fitting hole formed in a central portion of the frame body and a fitting protrusion formed in the central portion of the reduction gear and fitted in the fitting hole. Fixed,
The engaging portion is configured by a plurality of ribs formed radially outward on a peripheral wall that defines the fitting hole, and the engaged portion is around the engaging protrusion of the reduction gear. The reel unit according to claim 1, wherein the reel unit is configured by a recess fitted into the rib.

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