JP2001212359A - Pachinko ball measuring device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a pachinko ball measuring device in a ball storage box having improved durability and maintenance property. SOLUTION: An impulse radar seeing the inside of the ball storage box is installed on the outside of the ball storage box made of a nonmetallic material such as wood or a plastic, and the amount of the pachinko balls in the ball storage box is measured based on the perspective result of the impulse radar.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pachinko ball weighing apparatus suitable for use in automatic ball weighing of a ball storage box existing in a pachinko game facility, and more particularly to a low cost by employing an impulse radar as a sensor. The present invention relates to a pachinko ball weighing device that achieves improvement in durability and durability.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A plurality of pachinko machines in a pachinko game arcade are installed for each block (island) in a state where a plurality of pachinko machines are adjacent to each other. On the island, a ball storage box is provided for collecting and temporarily storing pachinko balls discharged from the pachinko machine, and the pachinko balls stored in this ball storage box are provided by a pachinko ball circulation path provided on the island. It circulates between each island.

In order to efficiently use a limited amount of pachinko balls in a store, it is necessary to always keep track of the amount of balls stored in the ball storage box and appropriately adjust the amount of pachinko balls in each island. At this time, a pachinko ball measuring device is used to measure the amount of stored balls in the ball storage box. Some examples of the conventional pachinko ball weighing device are shown below.

[0004] FIG. 15 shows an example of a sensor mounting state in a pachinko ball measuring device using a reflection type distance measuring sensor. In the same figure, a is a ball storage box, b and b '.
Denotes a ball storage box side wall, c denotes a ball storage box bottom wall, d denotes a distance measuring sensor, e denotes a sensor support member, f denotes a pachinko ball supply port, g denotes a pachinko ball discharge port, and h denotes a pachinko ball storage surface.

[0005] The ball storage box a usually has a side wall b and a bottom wall c made of wood or plastic so as not to damage the pachinko balls, and these walls are made thick enough to withstand the collision of the pachinko balls. Has become. In order to allow pachinko balls to enter and exit the ball storage box, a supply port f is provided on the side wall b, and a discharge port g is provided on the side wall b '. Further, as the sensor d, an ultrasonic type and an optical type may be used. In this example, two sensors d are used.

The sensor d is mounted downward on the upper part of the ball storage box a via the sensor supporting member e, and transmits a pulse (for example, ultrasonic wave or light) toward the storage surface h of the pachinko ball and reflects the pulse. Receive the pulse. The distance to the storage surface h calculated from the required time from transmission to reception and the ball storage box a
The amount of the ball stored in the ball storage box a is measured based on the volume of the ball.

FIG. 16 shows an example of an attached state of a sensor in a pachinko ball measuring device using a proximity sensor. In the figure, a is a ball storage box, b and b 'are ball storage box side walls, c is a ball storage box bottom wall, i is a proximity sensor, j is a sensor support member, f is a pachinko ball supply port, g is a pachinko ball discharge port, and h is The pachinko ball storage surface is shown. Further, examples of the sensor i include an optical sensor and a magnetic sensor. In this example, six sensors are used.

The sensor i is mounted on a sensor supporting member j installed in a ball storage box a at an appropriate interval in the vertical direction. When the pachinko ball storage surface h reaches the sensor position attached to the predetermined height, the amount of balls stored in the ball storage box a is measured.

[0009]

As described above, in the conventional pachinko ball weighing device, since the sensor is installed in a bare state in the ball storage box, the pachinko ball is damaged in a short time due to collision with the pachinko ball. There was a problem. Therefore, the sensor must be replaced frequently,
There were also problems such as high costs and time and effort.

In order to prevent the pachinko balls from colliding with the sensor, it is conceivable to provide a protective cover on the sensor.
The protective cover must be rugged to be sufficiently resistant to pachinko ball impact. If such a protective cover is provided on an ultrasonic or magnetic sensor, the detection operation of the sensor is hindered.

On the other hand, in the case of an optical sensor, it is possible to provide a transparent protective cover which is transparent. However, the protective cover itself becomes fogged by scratches or dirt, so that it cannot be used for a short period of time. Will be.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pachinko ball measuring device which has good durability and does not require much maintenance. .

[0013]

The main feature of the pachinko ball weighing device according to the present invention is that an impulse radar is employed as a sensor.

Here, "impulse radar" refers to, for example, U.S.A. S. MIR disclosed in PAT 5,457,394
(Abbreviation of Micropower Impulse Radar) means that an impulse-like electromagnetic wave transmitted and received by the impulse radar can transmit through trees, plastics, and the like, but has a property of being reflected by metal. Since the present invention utilizes the properties of impulse-like electromagnetic waves, it detects pachinko balls made of a metallic material, but does not detect impulse-like electromagnetic wave-transmitting objects made of trees or plastic materials other than pachinko balls. be able to.

The present invention can be roughly classified into two types according to the impulse-shaped electromagnetic wave transmitting object. That is, a first invention in which a pachinko ball is measured while transmitting an impulse-like electromagnetic wave through a protective cover provided on a sensor, and a second invention in which a pachinko ball is measured while transmitting an impulse-like electromagnetic wave through a ball storage box. .

In the pachinko ball weighing device according to the first aspect of the invention, the impulse radar is attached to an upper part in the ball storage box. A robust protective cover for avoiding pachinko balls is provided on at least the wave transmitting / receiving surface side of the impulse radar.
The impulse radar directs the wave transmitting / receiving surface to the pachinko ball storage surface, transmits the impulse-shaped electromagnetic wave while passing through the protective cover, and receives the reflected wave from the pachinko ball storage surface while transmitting the same through the protective cover. The amount of ball storage in the ball storage box is calculated based on the time required from transmission to reception and the capacity of the ball storage box.

Here, the "ball storage box" is a box-like body having at least one or more openings for allowing pachinko balls to enter and exit, and is present in the middle of the pachinko ball circulation path, and is used after the game has been used. It is used to collect balls and store them temporarily. In the first invention, the material of the ball storage box is not limited.

"Pachinko ball storage surface" refers to the upper surface (envelope surface) of a group of pachinko balls stored in a ball storage box.

The term "attached" means that the impulse radar is fixed directly to the ball storage box, indirectly fixed to the ball storage box via a support member or the like, or movably mounted on the ball storage box. In such cases, various attachment modes are included. The number of mounted impulse radars is one or more depending on the size of the ball storage box and the surrounding environment.

As the material of the "protective cover", a material capable of transmitting impulse-like electromagnetic waves is selected. More preferably,
For example, plastic, wood, or the like having sufficient durability against the collision of pachinko balls is selected. The reason why the mounting position is set to “at least on the wave transmitting / receiving surface side of the impulse radar” is to protect the wave transmitting / receiving surface of the impulse radar from at least the bouncing ball of a pachinko ball flying from below the impulse radar. The structure of the protective cover can be appropriately selected according to the mounting state of the impulse radar, for example, covering the entire impulse radar with the protective cover.

The "impulse radar" may be one in which a transmitter and a receiver are separate. In that case, it is preferable to provide protective covers on both the transmitter and the receiver.

In the first invention, as described above, by utilizing the property that impulse-like electromagnetic waves penetrate plastic, wood, etc., a robust protective cover for avoiding pachinko balls is provided on the front surface of the sensor, Can be transmitted and received. For this reason, according to the first invention, it is possible to prevent damage to the sensor caused by collision of pachinko balls while measuring the amount of stored ball in a state where the sensor is installed in the ball storage box as in the conventional device. . In addition, since there is no need to replace the sensor due to breakage of the sensor, there is an advantage that the maintenance is not troublesome and the cost is low as compared with the conventional device.

In the pachinko ball weighing device according to the second invention, the impulse radar is installed outside the ball storage box.
The impulse radar sees through the inside of the ball storage box while transmitting the impulse-like electromagnetic wave from the location to the ball storage box, and measures the amount of pachinko ball storage based on the fluoroscopic result.

The material of the "ball storage box" used here includes:
Those that can transmit impulse-like electromagnetic waves, such as wood and plastic, are selected. "Outside the ball storage box" also includes a case where the impulse radar is embedded inside the wall of the ball storage box.

The “installation” includes various modes such as a case where the impulse radar is directly attached to the outer wall of the ball storage box, a case where the impulse radar is mounted close to the ball storage box via a support member or the like, and the like.

The transmitter / receiver constituting the "impulse radar" includes a transmitter / receiver integrated as a transmitter / receiver and an independent transmitter / receiver. Is also included. The case where the transmitter and the receiver are shared as one antenna and the case where the transmitter and the receiver are arranged on concentric circles are also included in the “integration”.

The "perspective" refers to a case in which an impulse radar is installed outside a ball storage box and transmits and receives waves while transmitting impulse-like electromagnetic waves to the ball storage box to detect pachinko balls in the ball storage box.

"Detection" includes detection based on the required time from transmission to reception, detection based on the presence or absence of reception of an impulse electromagnetic wave, and the like.

In one mode of detection based on the required time from transmission to reception, the impulse radar is mounted outside the ball storage box, and the amount of pachinko ball storage is measured based on the required time and the capacity of the ball storage amount. Done. As one example, an impulse radar transmits an impulse-shaped electromagnetic wave toward a pachinko ball storage surface while transmitting the impulse-shaped electromagnetic wave through the ball storage box upper wall, and receives the reflected wave while transmitting the reflected wave through the same ball storage box upper wall. No.

As another detection mode based on the required time from transmission to reception, a transmitter / receiver of an impulse radar and a reflector capable of reflecting an impulse electromagnetic wave transmitted from the transmitter are used. What was there. At this time, in order to receive the reflected wave of the impulse-shaped electromagnetic wave by the reflector more efficiently, it is preferable to arrange the transmitter / receiver and the reflector substantially horizontally opposite each other with the ball storage box interposed therebetween. Furthermore, if the transmitter and the receiver are arranged substantially horizontally in parallel, the reflected wave can be received more efficiently. In addition, the case where the transmitter and the receiver are integrated as one antenna, and the case where the transmitter and the receiver are arranged on a concentric circle are also referred to as “horizontally parallel arrangement”. include. In addition, the “arrangement” here includes various modes such as a case where the impulse radar is directly attached to the ball storage box, a case where the impulse radar is installed close to the ball storage box via a support member, and the like.

Normally, the transmitter transmits an impulse-like electromagnetic wave toward the reflector, and the reflected wave from the reflector is received by the receiver. When the accumulation of pachinko balls in the ball storage box progresses and the transmission from the transmitter to the reflector is interrupted by the pachinko balls, the receiver receives the reflected wave of the impulse-like electromagnetic wave from the pachinko balls Becomes Since the top of the piled-up pachinko balls that are stored is located closer to the receiver than the reflector, the time difference between transmission and reception is smaller than when the reflected wave from the reflector is received. Receiving the reflected wave from the ball is shorter.

In this embodiment, the reflector can be installed inside the ball storage box. Also in this case, it is preferable that the reflector is disposed horizontally facing the transducer.

In this embodiment, as described above, it is detected that the number of pachinko balls in the ball storage box has reached the specified amount, based on the fact that the transmission / reception time difference from transmission to reception is reduced.
By installing a plurality of sets of sensors in the vertical direction, the detection level can be provided in a plurality of stages, and the pachinko balls can be measured more finely. The reflector provided at that time may be integral with one set of transducers, or may be integral with a plurality of sets of transducers.

As one mode of detection based on the presence or absence of direct reception of the impulse-like electromagnetic wave, the transmitter and the receiver of the impulse-like electromagnetic wave are set so that the transmission surface and the reception surface face each other with the ball storage box interposed therebetween. Are arranged. At this time, if the transmitter and the receiver are arranged horizontally, the detection accuracy is further improved. The “arrangement” here includes various modes such as a case where the impulse radar is directly attached to the ball storage box, a case where the impulse radar is installed close to the ball storage box via a support member, and the like.

According to such a configuration, an impulse electromagnetic wave is normally transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver and received by the receiver. When the accumulation of pachinko balls in the ball storage box progresses and the impulse-like electromagnetic waves transmitted from the transmitter are interrupted by the pachinko balls, the reception of the impulse-like electromagnetic waves by the receiver is interrupted. As a result, it is detected that the pachinko balls have reached the specified amount. In addition, by installing a plurality of sets of sensors in the vertical direction, the detection level can be provided in a plurality of stages, and the pachinko balls can be measured more finely.

According to the second aspect of the present invention, as described above, the impulse radar is installed outside the ball storage box by utilizing the characteristic of transmitting the impulse electromagnetic waves through trees, plastics, and the like, and the impulse electromagnetic waves are stored from the location. Since transmission and reception are performed while transmitting light through the box, there is no risk of damage due to collision of pachinko balls, and accurate ball storage amount measurement according to the accuracy of the impulse radar becomes possible.

[0037]

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. First, a pachinko ball storage box to which the present invention is applied will be described.

FIG. 1 shows the location of the ball storage box in the pachinko parlor. FIG. 1A is a schematic view of an island in a pachinko parlor viewed from above, and FIG. 1B is a schematic view of an island viewed from the side of the island. In the figure, reference numeral 1 denotes an island on which a plurality of pachinko machines 2 are adjacent to each other, 3 denotes a chair, 2a denotes a counter of a pachinko machine, 2b denotes an upper plate for receiving balls, 2c denotes a lower plate for receiving balls, 1a Indicates the bases of Island 1 respectively.

The pachinko ball storage box is usually provided in a base 1a located at the lower part of the island 1 as indicated by hatching.
Or a plurality are accommodated. The pachinko balls inserted into the pachinko machine are collected in a ball storage box after using the game, and are temporarily stored in the ball storage box. Thereafter, it circulates between the islands via a pachinko ball circulation path (not shown), is returned to the pachinko table again, and is appropriately discharged. The pachinko ball measuring device according to the present invention is applied to the ball storage box housed in the island as described above, and measures the ball storage amount in the ball storage box.

FIGS. 2 and 3 show a first embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention.
Is shown in FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a first embodiment of the device of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory diagram of the first embodiment of the device of the present invention. In those figures, 4 is a piggy bank,
4a, 4a ', 4b, 4b' are ball tray side walls, 4c is ball tray bottom wall, 5 is an impulse radar, 5a is an impulse electromagnetic wave transmitting / receiving surface, 5b is an impulse radar protection cover, 5
c is an impulse radar support member, 6a is a pachinko ball supply port, 6b is a pachinko ball discharge port, and 7 is a pachinko ball storage surface.

In this example, the ball storage box 4 to which the first embodiment is applied has two pairs of opposed side walls 4a, 4a ', 4b, 4
b 'and a box-shaped body having a bottom wall 4c, and the walls are thick in order to obtain sufficient strength to store a large amount of pachinko balls. The wall is made of a material such as plastic or wood so as not to damage the pachinko balls as much as possible.

On the upper side of the side wall 4a, a supply port 6a serving as an entrance of the pachinko ball into the ball storage box 4 is provided.
Is provided with a discharge port 6b for discharging pachinko balls. The used pachinko balls put into the pachinko machine are thrown into the ball storage box 4 from the supply port 6a, temporarily stored, and then discharged from the discharge port 6b as appropriate.

A support member 5 extending upward from the upper portion of the ball storage box
c is a rod-shaped body for supporting the impulse radar 5. The lower end of the rod supports the impulse radar 5 in the upper portion of the ball storage box, while the upper end is fixed to a wall (not shown) located above the ball storage box 4. Have been. The impulse radar 5 used as a detection sensor according to the present embodiment has a pair of a transmitter and a receiver, and its transmission / reception surface 5a (the bottom surface is shown enlarged at the upper right in FIG. 2). It is attached to the pachinko ball storage surface 7 located below.

The impulse radar 5 is provided with a robust protective cover 5b made of a plastic material so as to cover the impulse radar. The protective cover 5 b is for preventing a bouncing ball of a pachinko ball generated in the ball storage box 4 from directly colliding with the impulse radar 5.

FIG. 3 schematically shows the state of an impulse-like electromagnetic wave emitted from the impulse radar 5. The electromagnetic wave P emitted from the impulse radar 5 passes through the protective cover 5b, and the pachinko ball storage surface 7 located below.
Is reflected by The reflected electromagnetic wave is applied to the protective cover 5 again.
b and is returned to the impulse radar 5.

In this embodiment, by providing the protective cover on the sensor, it is possible to prevent the sensor from being damaged by the bouncing ball of the pachinko ball while installing the sensor in the ball storage box.

In the present embodiment, the amount of ball storage is measured based on the time required from transmission to reception of the impulse-like electromagnetic wave and the capacity of the ball storage box. This will be described in detail when describing the internal circuit configuration.

A second embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, and FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view showing a second embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention. In those figures, 4 is a piggy bank,
4a, 4a ', 4b, 4b' are ball storage box side walls, 4c is a ball storage box bottom wall, 6a is a pachinko ball supply port, 6b is a pachinko ball discharge port, 7 is a pachinko ball storage surface, and 8a and 9a are impulse radar transmitters. , 8b and 9b are impulse radar receivers,
8a 'and 9a' are impulse-like electromagnetic wave transmission surfaces, and 8b'9
b 'denotes an impulse-like electromagnetic wave receiving surface, and 10a and 10b denote impulse radar support members, respectively. The ball storage box 4 is the same as that used in the first embodiment.

As the impulse radar used as the detection sensor according to the present embodiment, an impulse radar that can be installed independently in the transmitter and the receiver is used. The wave transmitter and the wave receiver are arranged horizontally with the ball storage box 4 interposed therebetween, with the respective wave transmitting surfaces and wave receiving surfaces facing each other in front. In this example, two sets of impulse radars 8 and 9 are prepared, and detection levels (specified amounts) are provided in two stages. One set of impulse radars 8a and 8b is arranged at a high position outside the ball storage box 4, and another set of impulse radars 9a and 9b is arranged at a middle position outside the ball storage box 4.

Specifically, an impulse radar supporting member 10a is provided outside the side wall 4b. An impulse radar transmitter 8a is located at a position outside the ball storage box 4 at a high position.
However, an impulse radar transmitter 9a is attached to the support member 10a at a position that is located outside the ball storage box 4 with the respective wave transmitting surfaces 8a 'and 9a' facing the ball storage box 4.
Similarly, a support member 10b is provided outside the side wall 4b 'facing the side wall 4b. A wave receiver 8b is provided at a position which is located at an outer high position of the ball storage box 4, and a wave receiver 9b is provided at a position which is located at an outer middle position of the ball storage box 4, and respective wave receiving surfaces 8b 'and 9 are provided.
The b 'is directed to the ball storage box 4 and attached to the support member 10b. With such a configuration, the transmitter and the receiver of the impulse radar are horizontally opposed to each other with the ball storage box 4 interposed therebetween. In addition, the arrangement state of the impulse radar receiver 8b viewed from the inside of the ball storage box is enlarged and shown in the upper right of FIG.

FIG. 5 schematically shows the state of the impulse-like electromagnetic waves emitted from the impulse radar transmitters 8a and 9a. In the same figure, P1 is an impulse-like electromagnetic wave emitted from the impulse radar transmitter 8a, P2 is an impulse-like electromagnetic wave emitted from the impulse radar transmitter 9a, and B is a pachinko ball present on the top of the pachinko ball storage surface 7. Are respectively shown. This example shows a state in which the accumulation of pachinko balls progresses, and the pachinko ball storage surface 7 has reached the mounting height position (position in the ball storage box) of the impulse radar transducer 9. Needless to say, at this time, the pachinko ball storage surface 7 has not reached the mounting height position of the impulse radar 8.

As is apparent from FIG. 5, the impulse-like electromagnetic wave P1 transmitted from the impulse radar transmitter 8a located at a high position outside the ball storage box 4 includes the side wall 4b and the side wall 4b.
′ And is received by the impulse radar receiver 8b. On the other hand, the impulse-like electromagnetic wave P2 transmitted from the impulse radar transmitter 9a located at the middle position outside the ball storage box 4
Although the light passes through the side wall 4b, its progress is blocked by the pachinko balls B, and therefore does not reach the wave receiver 9b. Therefore, the reception of the impulse-like electromagnetic wave is interrupted in the wave receiver 9b. In this example, the receiver 9 b
As the impulse-shaped electromagnetic wave is not received, it is detected that the pachinko ball storage amount has reached the specified amount determined by the mounting height position of the impulse radar 9.

Similarly, when the pachinko ball storage surface 7 reaches the height position (position above the ball storage box) where the impulse radar transmitter / receiver 8 is attached, the impulse electromagnetic wave is not received by the receiver 8b. Therefore, the impulse radar 8
It is detected that the pachinko ball storage amount has reached the specified amount determined by the mounting height position.

In the second embodiment, based on the detection principle described above, the pachinko ball storage amount in the ball storage box can be measured while the sensor is installed outside the ball storage box. That is, collision of the pachinko balls in the ball storage box with the sensor is completely avoided, and there is no risk of damage to the sensor due to the collision.

In this embodiment, two sets of impulse radar transducers are used to provide two levels of detection levels (specified amounts). Further, a plurality of sets of impulse radars are provided in the vertical direction. By attaching it, the detection level can be set more finely.

A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. FIG. 6 is a schematic perspective view showing a third embodiment of the device of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory diagram showing a third embodiment of the device of the present invention. In those figures, 4 is a ballpark box, 4
Reference numerals a, 4a ', 4b, 4b' denote side walls of the ball storage box, 4c denotes a bottom wall of the ball storage box, 6a denotes a pachinko ball supply port, 6b denotes a pachinko ball discharge port, 7 denotes a pachinko ball storage surface, 11a and 12a denote impulse radars, 11a '. , 12a 'are impulse-like electromagnetic wave transmitting / receiving surfaces, 13a impulse radar support members, 11b, 1
2b is an impulse electromagnetic wave reflector, 11b 'and 12b'
Denotes an impulse-like electromagnetic wave reflecting surface, and 13b denotes a reflector support member. The ball storage box 4 includes the first embodiment and the second embodiment.
The same ones as used in the embodiment are used.

The impulse radar as a detection sensor used in the present embodiment is one in which a transmitter and a receiver are integrated. In this example, two impulse radars are prepared and the detection level is set. There are two stages. One is provided at a high position outside the ball storage box, and the other is provided at a middle position outside the ball storage box. A reflector having a reflecting surface capable of reflecting the impulse-like electromagnetic wave is provided at a position horizontally opposed to each of the impulse radars with the ball storage box interposed therebetween.
At this time, the reflecting surface of the reflector faces the transmitting / receiving surface of the impulse radar in front.

Specifically, an impulse radar supporting member 13a is provided outside the side wall 4b. The impulse radar 11a is located at a position that is located at an outer high position of the ball storage box 4, and the impulse radar 1 is located at a position that is located at a middle position outside the ball storage box 4.
2a stores the transmitting and receiving wave surfaces 11a 'and 12a'
And attached to the support member 13a. Similarly, outside the side wall 4b 'facing the side wall 4b,
A support member 13b is provided. A reflector 11b is provided at a location that is located at an outer high position of the ball storage box, and a reflector 12b is provided at a location that is located at an outer middle position of the ball storage box. The reflectors 12b are attached to the support member 13b while directing their reflecting surfaces toward the ball storage box. Can be With such a configuration, the impulse radar and the reflector are connected to the ball storage box 4.
Are arranged to face each other in the horizontal direction. In addition, the arrangement state of the reflector viewed from the inside of the ball storage box is enlarged and shown in the upper right of FIG.

FIG. 7 schematically shows the state of the impulse-like electromagnetic waves emitted from the impulse radars 11a and 12a. In the figure, P1 is an impulse radar 11
a is an impulse-like electromagnetic wave emitted from the impulse radar 12a, and P2 is an impulse-like electromagnetic wave emitted from the impulse radar 12a.
Reference numerals 1 'and P2' denote reflected waves of impulse-like electromagnetic waves by the reflector, and B denotes a pachinko ball existing at the top of the pachinko ball storage surface 7, respectively. In this example, the accumulation of the pachinko balls progresses, and the pachinko ball storage surface 7 becomes the impulse radar 1.
The state in which it has reached the mounting height position of 2a (position in the ball storage box) is shown. Of course, at this time, it is assumed that the pachinko ball storage surface 7 has not reached the mounting height position of the impulse radar 11a.

As is apparent from the figure, the impulse electromagnetic wave P1 emitted from the impulse radar 11a mounted at a high position outside the ball storage box passes through the side wall 4b and the side wall 4b 'and reaches the reflector 11b. , Reflection surface 11b
'. Reflected wave P1 by reflector 11b '
Is transmitted through the side walls 4b and 4b 'and received by the impulse radar 11a. On the other hand, the impulse-like electromagnetic wave P2 emitted from the impulse radar 12a located at the middle position outside the ball storage box 4 transmits through the side wall 4b, but is thereafter reflected by the pachinko ball B without reaching the reflector 12b, and the impulse radar Wave is received at 12a. Pachinko ball B is more impulse radar 12 than reflector 12b.
a, the time required from transmission to reception of the impulse-shaped electromagnetic wave is shorter than the time required for receiving the reflected wave from the reflector 12b, as compared with the time when the reflected wave P from the pachinko ball B is received.
The time when receiving 2 'is shorter.

In this example, the pachinko ball storage amount reaches the specified amount determined by the mounting height position of the impulse radar 12a based on the reduction in the time required for transmission and reception by the impulse radar 12a. Is detected.

Similarly, when the pachinko ball storage surface 7 reaches the height position where the impulse radar 11a is mounted, the impulse radar 11 is determined based on the shortened time required for transmission and reception by the impulse radar 11a.
It is detected that the pachinko ball storage amount has reached the specified amount determined by the mounting height position a.

In the third embodiment, based on the above-described detection principle, the pachinko ball storage amount in the ball storage box can be measured while the sensor is installed outside the ball storage box. That is, collision of the pachinko balls in the ball storage box with the sensor is completely avoided, and there is no risk of damage to the sensor due to the collision.

In this embodiment, two detection levels (specified amounts) are provided by using two impulse radars and two reflectors, but a plurality of impulse radars and reflectors are mounted vertically. Thus, the detection level can be set more finely. When a large number of impulse radars are mounted closely, it is conceivable that erroneous detection may occur due to the reflector reflecting impulse-like electromagnetic waves from non-opposing impulse radars. In such a case, the impulse radar is operated in a time-division manner one by one.
The erroneous detection can be prevented.

Next, an impulse radar that can be employed in the first to third embodiments will be described. "Impulse radar" refers to, for example, U.S.A. S. PAT5,457,394
(Impulse Radar Studfinder), which transmits and receives an impulse-like electromagnetic wave toward an inspection object and receives the reflected wave, and the reflection of the electromagnetic wave after the transmission and reception means transmits the electromagnetic wave. And a distance measuring unit that measures a distance to an inspection target based on a time until a wave is received.

Compared with the conventional CW (continuous wave) type and pulse type radar, the impulse radar has the following advantages. Since a modulation / demodulation circuit is not required, the configuration is simple, and it is small, lightweight, low in power consumption and inexpensive. Since the transmission electromagnetic wave is in the form of an impulse, the transmission is completed in an extremely short time. Therefore, even if the inspection target is located at a short distance of 1 m or less and the reflected wave from the object returns immediately, it is separated from the transmitted wave. Can be extracted. That is, detection can be performed up to a very short distance.

FIG. 8 schematically shows the entire electrical hardware configuration of the impulse radar. As shown in the figure, a transmitting unit 14 for transmitting an impulse of an electromagnetic wave having a frequency of 1 GHz or more to an impulse radar 100.
A receiving unit 15 for receiving the reflected wave of the electromagnetic wave, a transmitting unit 14 and the receiving unit 15, and the transmitting unit 14 transmits an impulse-shaped electromagnetic wave and then receives a reflected wave from the inspection object. Control unit 16 for measuring the time to amplitude and the phase and the like for each time which is the shape of the reflected wave itself
And

FIG. 9 shows details of the transmission / reception unit and the control unit of the impulse radar. As shown in the figure,
The transmitting unit 14 and the receiving unit 15 are high frequency circuits.

The transmitting section 14 includes an impulse generating section 14a for generating an impulse with a sharp fall, and a transmitting antenna 14b for generating an impulse-like electromagnetic wave based on the impulse output from the impulse generating section 14a. .

The receiving section 15 includes a sampling pulse generating section 15a for generating a sampling pulse, and a sampling section for sampling the level of the reflected wave received by the receiving antenna 15c in accordance with the sampling pulse supplied from the sampling pulse generating section 15a. 15b.

The control unit 16 generates a clock having a frequency of 2 MHz and outputs the clock to the impulse generation unit 14a and the sampling pulse generation unit 15a.
And a clock generation circuit 16 that generates a clock having a frequency of 40 Hz and outputs the clock to the sampling pulse generation unit 15a.
b. The control unit 16 also includes a reception signal processing unit 16c that receives and holds the sample value supplied from the sampling unit 15b.

Next, the operation of transmitting and receiving electromagnetic waves will be described. The impulse generation unit 14a includes the clock generation circuit 1
A sharp falling impulse is generated in synchronization with the clock output from 6a. An impulse with a sharp fall can be generated by rapidly turning on or off a transistor as a built-in switching element. When the impulse with a sharp fall is supplied from the impulse generator 14a, the transmitting antenna 14b transmits an impulse-shaped electromagnetic wave in synchronization with the timing of the sharp fall. The transmitted impulse electromagnetic wave is
The electromagnetic wave is reflected by an electromagnetic wave reflecting object (reflection occurs when there is a discontinuity in the permittivity) 17, is received by the receiving antenna 15c, and the received signal is input to the sampling unit 15b.

Therefore, as shown in FIG.
When a transmission wave (transmission wave) is transmitted at a reciprocal cycle of the frequency of 2 MHz, a reflected wave is received with a slight delay. Now, focusing only on this reflected wave (received wave), FIG.
A reflected wave as shown in (B) is input to the sampling unit 15b.

The sampling pulse generator 15a generates a sampling pulse synchronized with a 2 MHz clock supplied from the clock generator 16a. The sampling pulse is supplied at a frequency of 40 Hz supplied from the clock generator 16b. The phase is shifted slightly based on the frequency clock. As a result, FIG.
0 (B), the sampling timing (tA
To tE) makes it possible to sample the level at different positions of the received wave.

The object 17 reflecting the electromagnetic wave is considered to have not substantially moved within a short time.
The waveforms of the reflected waves (received waves) received at the reciprocal cycle of the 2 MHz frequencies 11b and 12b shown in (B) are considered to be substantially the same. Therefore, these received waves are almost 2MHz
By sampling while changing the phase slightly with the cycle of the reciprocal of the frequency of the received signal, it is possible to sample the level that changes every moment of one received wave by expanding the time axis (in the low frequency region). Become.

In order to simply receive the one reflected wave and sample the level value that changes every moment, a sampling clock having a frequency sufficiently higher than the frequency of 2 MHz is required. Such high frequency circuits are cumbersome to handle and costly. Thus, by slightly shifting the phase of the sampling clock having a frequency of approximately 2 MHz, a reflected wave having a frequency of 2 MHz can be sampled without using a special high-frequency circuit. For example, FIG.
In the example of (B), the received wave is sampled at the timing from time tA to time tE.

Therefore, the sampling pulse generator 15
In a, as schematically shown in FIG. 11, 2M
The frequency of the clock having the frequency of 40 Hz is compared with the level of the clock having the frequency of 40 Hz, and a sampling pulse is generated at the timing when the two become the same level.

More specifically, as shown in FIG. 12, the sampling pulse generator 15a includes a clock having a frequency of 2 MHz supplied from the clock generator 16a (FIG. 12A) and a clock generator 16b. The clock of the sawtooth wave of the frequency of 40 Hz supplied from
(See FIG. 12 (B)) and a combined wave (see FIG. 12 (C)).
Generate The sampling pulse generator 15a compares the synthesized wave with a predetermined threshold LT set in advance.

FIG. 13 shows a state in which the edge of the composite wave shown in FIG. 12C is further enlarged. That is, 2MH
The edge of the clock of z has a predetermined slope by being synthesized with the clock of the frequency of 40 Hz. As a result, in the vicinity of the starting point of the sawtooth wave, FIG.
As shown in FIG. 12 (B), when the rising time of the rising edge of the clock having a frequency of 2 MHz is set as a reference point and the time when the level of the edge reaches the threshold value LT is T1, near the end point of the sawtooth wave, FIG. As shown,
The time T2 from the reference point to the sampling point is shown in FIG.
It becomes longer than the time T1 shown in FIG. Therefore, in the region between the start point and the end point of the sawtooth wave, the time T1 and the time T1
In the time between two sampling points will occur.

The sampling pulse generating section 15a generates a sampling pulse at the timing of this sampling point and outputs it to the sampling section 15b. The sampling unit 15b samples the reflected wave in synchronization with the sampling pulse, and outputs the sampled value to the reception signal processing unit 1.
6c.

The operation of the reception signal processing section 16c is shown in the flowchart of FIG. The reception signal processing unit 16c calculates the distance to the target object based on the transmission / reception time difference of the impulse-like electromagnetic wave by executing the distance measurement processing (step 1401). That is, in this distance measurement processing (step 1401), the received waveform is converted to a low frequency based on the sample value coming from the sampling unit 15b, detected, and compared with the low frequency waveform corresponding to the transmission wave to transmit and receive. The distance data L corresponding to the time difference is generated.

Next, the distance data L corresponding to the distance to the target object is obtained by a distance determination process (step 1402).
Is compared with threshold values Lmin and Lmax respectively corresponding to the near limit distance and the far limit distance of the detection area (step 1402). This distance determination processing (step 1
If the determination result in step 402) is out of the range of Lmin and Lmax, the detection output is turned off (steps 1404 and 1406), whereas if it falls within the range of Lmin and Lmax, the detection output is turned on. (Step 140
5).

In each embodiment of the pachinko ball weighing device of the present invention, the distance data L and the detection output are used as follows.

In the case of the first embodiment, the distance data L
Is sequentially converted into a pachinko ball storage amount by a predetermined arithmetic expression. ON and OFF of the switching output are used for detecting the full capacity and empty capacity of the ball storage box.

In the case of the second embodiment, the detection output is turned on when the distance data L becomes infinite due to the interruption of the wave reception, whereby the pachinko ball storage amount exceeds a predetermined level. Is detected.

In the case of the third embodiment, a comparison is made between the reference value (Lmax) determined based on the distance from the impulse radar to the reflector and the distance data L.
Referring to FIG. 7, the reference value (Lmax) is set for the side wall 4b 'immediately before the reflectors 11b and 11b'. When the pachinko ball storage surface has not reached the predetermined height level, for example, as shown in the impulse radar 11a, the impulse-like electromagnetic wave P1 'received is from the reflector 11b. The reflector 11b is
Since it is farther from the side wall 4b 'than the impulse radar 11a, the distance data L calculated at this time is L> Lmax, and the detection output is OFF.

On the other hand, when the pachinko ball storage surface reaches a predetermined height level, for example, the impulse radar 12
As shown in FIG.
2 is a reflected wave from the pachinko ball B in the ball storage box. That is, the distance data L calculated at this time is L <Lmax
And the detection output is turned ON. As a result, it is detected that the pachinko ball storage amount has reached the predetermined level.
In this case, it is not necessary to provide Lmin.

[0088]

As is apparent from the above description, the use of the pachinko ball weighing device of the present invention provides a sensor with a robust protective cover without interfering with the measurement of the amount of pachinko balls stored in the ball storage box. Therefore, the damage of the sensor due to the collision of the pachinko balls can be prevented.

Further, by using the pachinko ball measuring device of the present invention, the pachinko ball storage amount in the ball storage box can be measured while the sensor is installed outside the ball storage box. The possibility of breakage of the device is completely avoided.

In addition, the pachinko ball measuring apparatus of the present invention
Since it is possible to prevent damage to the sensor due to collision of pachinko balls, it is not necessary to replace the sensor due to damage to the sensor,
Maintainability is improved.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a schematic explanatory view showing a location of a ball storage box in a pachinko parlor.

FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing the first embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is an operation explanatory view showing a first embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a second embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is an operation explanatory view showing a second embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a third embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is an operation explanatory view showing a third embodiment of the device of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram schematically showing the entire impulse radar.

FIG. 9 is a detailed block diagram of a transmission / reception unit and a control unit of the impulse radar.

FIG. 10 is a waveform diagram showing transmission / reception waveforms of the impulse radar.

FIG. 11 is a waveform diagram for explaining a sampling pulse generation process.

FIG. 12 is a waveform diagram for explaining a reference waveform generation process for frequency conversion.

FIG. 13 is a waveform chart for explaining sampling timing generation processing.

FIG. 14 is a flowchart illustrating an operation of a reception signal processing unit.

FIG. 15 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a conventional device using a distance measuring sensor.

FIG. 16 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing a conventional device using a proximity sensor.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 island 1a base 2 pachinko machine 2a counter 2b ball receiving upper plate 2c ball receiving lower plate 3 chair 4 ball storage box 4a, 4a ', 4b, 4b' ball storage box side wall 5 impulse radar 5a impulse electromagnetic wave transmitting / receiving surface 5b impulse Radar protection cover 5c Impulse radar support member 6a Pachinko ball supply port 6b Pachinko ball discharge port 7 Pachinko ball storage surface 8a, 9a Impulse radar transmitter 8a ', 9a' Impulse electromagnetic wave transmitter 8b, 9b Impulse radar receiver 8b ', 9b' Impulse-like electromagnetic wave receiving surface 10a, 10b Impulse radar support member 11a, 12a Impulse radar 11a ', 11a' Impulse-like electromagnetic wave transmitting / receiving surface 11b, 12b Impulse-like electromagnetic wave reflector 11b ', 12b' Impulse-like electromagnetic wave reflection surface 13a Impulse radar support Member 13b Reflector support member 14 Transmitting unit 14a Impulse generating unit 14b Transmitting antenna 15 Receiving unit 15a Sampling pulse generating unit 15b Sampling unit 15c Receiving antenna 16 Control unit 16a, 16b Clock generating circuit 16c Received signal processing unit 17 Electromagnetic wave reflecting object 100 MIR a ball storage box b, b 'ball storage box side wall c ball storage box bottom wall d ranging sensor e sensor support member f pachinko ball supply port g pachinko ball discharge port h pachinko ball storage surface i proximity sensor j sensor support member tA to tE sampling timing B Pachinko ball L Distance data LT Threshold Lmin Near limit distance Lmax Far limit distance P Impulsive electromagnetic wave P1, P2 Impulsive electromagnetic wave P1 ', P2' Reflected wave of impulse electromagnetic wave T1, T2 Arrival time to threshold LT

 ──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yoichi Toguchi F-term in Omron Co., Ltd. 10-10 Hanazono Todocho, Ukyo-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto (reference) 2C088 BA38 EA02 EA32 FA05

Claims (6)

[Claims] 1. A reflection type distance measuring sensor is attached to an upper part of a ball storage box having an input port and a discharge port with its wave transmitting / receiving surface facing downward, and a pachinko ball storing surface in the box measured by the distance measuring sensor. A pachinko ball weighing device that measures the amount of pachinko balls in a ball storage box based on the distance of the pachinko ball, wherein the reflection type distance measuring sensor has a robust protective cover for avoiding pachinko balls at least on its transmitting and receiving surface side. Is a pachinko ball measuring device. 2. A pachinko ball measuring device for measuring the amount of pachinko balls stored in a ball storage box made of a non-metallic material such as wood or plastic, wherein the pachinko ball measuring device is provided outside the ball storage box. It has an impulse radar that sees through the inside, and measures the amount of pachinko balls in the ball storage box based on the see-through result of the impulse radar,
Pachinko ball measuring device. 3. The pachinko ball weighing device according to claim 2, wherein the pair of transmitters and receivers constituting the impulse radar are arranged to face each other with the ball storage box interposed therebetween. 4. The pachinko ball weighing device according to claim 2, wherein a pair of a transmitter and a receiver constituting the impulse radar are arranged in parallel to the ball storage box. 5. A pachinko ball measuring device for measuring the amount of pachinko balls stored in a ball storage box made of a non-metallic material such as wood, plastic, etc., wherein the ball counter is horizontally opposed to the ball storage box. It has a transmitter and a receiver for an impulse-like electromagnetic wave, and based on the reception of the impulse-like electromagnetic wave transmitted from the transmitter being interrupted in the receiver, the pachinko balls in the ball storage box have a predetermined amount. A pachinko ball weighing device that detects that it has reached. 6. A pachinko ball measuring device for measuring the amount of pachinko balls stored in a ball storage box made of a non-metallic material such as wood, plastic, etc., wherein the impulse is arranged horizontally parallel to the ball storage box. Transmitter and receiver of the electromagnetic wave, and a reflector of an impulse-like electromagnetic wave disposed at a position horizontally opposed to the transmitter and receiver with the ball storage box interposed therebetween, and the transmitter A pachinko ball weighing device, which detects that the number of pachinko balls in a ball storage box has reached a predetermined amount based on a reduction in a transmission / reception time difference between the pachinko ball and the receiver.