JP2001276303A - Connection device for slot machine reel - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To easily connect a slot machine reel to the rotary shaft of a motor and to prevent the generation of a backlash by wear at a connection part. SOLUTION: A serration 16 extended in a shaft direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft 10 and a fixing cylinder 18 to which a connection ring 17 composed of a thick cylindrical elastic body is fixed is forcibly fitted and fixed to the rotary shaft 10. To a groove 17a extended in the shaft direction from the end face of the connection ring 17, a projection 12 provided on the core 8 of a reel main body 3 is engaged. Through the through-hole 11 of the core 8, a fixing screw 20 is screwed and tightened to a female screw 10a at the tip of the rotary shaft 10.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connecting device for connecting a slot machine reel to a rotating shaft of a motor serving as a driving source thereof.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a slot machine, for example, three reels in which various symbols are arranged at a constant pitch on the outer periphery are rotated by a motor, and when each rotation is stopped, the symbols stopped on a winning determination line are determined. The winning combination is determined according to the combination. In recent slot machines, a microcomputer controls the stop position of a motor, determines a winning combination according to a random number sampled at the start of the game, and sets a predetermined winning combination on a winning determination line so that the winning combination is obtained. The symbol is stopped.

A stepping motor is used as a reel driving motor in order to accurately stop the motor and to facilitate the stop control. A stepping motor generally has a lower torque than a DC motor or the like, but by using a lightweight reel made of plastic, the reel can be prevented from coasting when the motor stops, and the reel stop position can be reliably controlled. It has become.

As described above, in order to stop the reel simultaneously with the stop of the motor, it is desirable to directly connect the rotating shaft of the motor to the reel. For this reason, conventionally, a so-called “D-cut” process for flattening a part of the outer peripheral surface on the tip end side of the rotating shaft has been performed, and the hole shape of the sleeve integrally formed on the core of the reel has been changed to a “D” shape. After inserting the rotating shaft into the hole of the sleeve with the "D" shape matched, tighten the set screw from the outside of the outer peripheral surface of the sleeve in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction, and strongly press the tip against the outer periphery of the rotating shaft. The reel and the rotating shaft are connected to each other.

[0005] In addition, a ridge or a key groove extending in the axial direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotary shaft, and a groove or a ridge is provided on the inner wall of the sleeve in correspondence with the ridge or key groove so that they are engaged with each other. Insert the rotating shaft into the sleeve and fix it with the set screw in the same way.Furthermore, form a female screw in the direction perpendicular to the rotating shaft in the axial direction, and tighten the male screw from the outer periphery of the sleeve fitted to the rotating shaft Tightening techniques are adopted.

[0006]

However, in general, the slot machine reel is rotated in one direction, and particularly when stopped, an instantaneous stop operation is performed. For this reason, although the reel is lighter, a load in the same direction is always applied to the connecting portion between the rotating shaft and the reel when the reel is stopped. Therefore, in the connection device using the "D cut" or the tightening of the ridges and key grooves and the set screws as described above, the load when the reel is stopped acts locally on the connection portion, and the plastic reel is used. Then wear becomes a problem. If the reel is worn and rattle is formed at a portion connected to the rotating shaft, there arises a problem that the stop position of the reel becomes unstable.

Further, in the conventional coupling device, in order to integrate the reel with the rotating shaft in the rotation direction, a female screw part is screwed into the reel sleeve in a manner orthogonal to the axial direction. The female screw must be formed by embedding or tapping from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft, which increases the manufacturing cost. In addition, a cutting process is required to form a "D-cut", a ridge, or a keyway on the rotating shaft, which also increases the manufacturing cost.

The present invention has been made in view of the above background, and when connecting the rotating shaft of the motor and the slot machine reel integrally, there is no abrasion between the two and the manufacturing is easy and the cost is low. It is another object of the present invention to provide a slot machine reel connecting device which is also advantageous in terms of purpose.

[0009]

According to the present invention, in order to achieve the above object, a connecting ring made of a thick cylindrical elastic body is fixed to an outer periphery of a fixed cylinder fixed to a rotating shaft of a motor, and the connecting ring is fixed to the connecting ring. The slot machine reel is fixed to the rotating shaft via a ring. On the outer peripheral surface of the connecting ring, a plurality of grooves extending in the axial direction from the front end surface of the rotating shaft are provided so as to divide the circumferential direction into equal parts. A plurality of integrally formed protrusions enter and engage to connect the rotating shaft and the slot machine reel in the rotating direction. For the connection in the axial direction, a tightening member that forms a screw portion at the tip of the rotating shaft and that is screwed into the screw portion through a hole provided in the core of the slot machine reel is used.

In order to facilitate the positioning operation of the slot machine reel with respect to the connecting ring in the rotational direction and to increase the efficiency of the assembling operation, the width of the groove is increased on the end face side of the connecting ring at the tip end of the rotating shaft, and It is desirable to narrow the distal end side of the projection provided on the core of the machine reel. In addition, the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft is subjected to serration by rolling, and a method of press-fitting and fixing the fixed cylinder to the rotating shaft is employed, so that the fixed cylinder can be securely and efficiently fixed to the rotating shaft. As a result, the manufacturing cost can be kept low.

[0011]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIG. 1 showing a connecting device of the present invention, a slot machine reel 2 comprises a reel body 3 and a symbol sheet 4. The reel body 3 is formed by integral molding of plastic, and has a cage shape in which two rings 5a and 5b are integrally connected by eight linking arms 6. The symbol sheet 4 is made of a belt-shaped plastic sheet.
Appropriate symbols are printed at a constant pitch. The symbol sheet 4 is wound around and bonded to the surface of the ring 5a and the link arm 6. The rings 5a and 5b may be connected to each other by a continuous peripheral wall to form a cylindrical shape. However, for weight reduction, it is more advantageous to form a cage as shown in the figure.

Although shown partially broken, four bridge arms 7 are extended from the ring 5a toward the center at a position where they are rotationally symmetrical at 90 °, and support the core 8. The core 8 has a through hole 11 through which the rotating shaft 10 of the stepping motor 9 is inserted from the back side (the ring 5b side).
Are formed. On the back surface side of the core 8, a projection 12 protruding toward the ring 5 b outside the through hole 11 is provided integrally with the position where the bridge arm 7 is provided.
As shown, these projections 12 have narrower tips. Reference numeral 13 denotes a signal piece protruding from the bridge arm 7, and is used to determine the rotation reference position of the slot machine reel 2 by photoelectrically detecting the passage of the slot machine reel 2 when the slot machine reel 2 is rotated. .

The stepping motor 9 is fixed to the chassis 15 so that the rotating shaft 10 is horizontal. As shown partially broken, serrations 16 are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 10 by rolling. Serration 1
Reference numeral 6 designates a plurality of spline-shaped teeth extending in the axial direction provided on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 10, and is formed by rolling, so that the tooth tip surface slightly rises from the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft 10. It is formed as follows. In addition, a female screw 10 a is cut at the tip of the rotating shaft 10.

A fixed cylinder 18 having a connecting ring 17 fixed to the outer circumference is fixed to the rotating shaft 10 by press-fitting. Fixed cylinder 18
Consists of, for example, a drawn aluminum tube, the inner diameter of which is equal to the outer diameter of the rotating shaft 10,
Since the outer periphery of the rotating shaft 10 is overlaid by the rolling process of the serrations 16, the fixed cylinder 18 is firmly fixed to the rotating shaft 10.
Fixed to The connecting ring 17 is made of a thick cylindrical rubber component having elasticity, and is fixed to the outer peripheral surface of the fixed cylinder 18 by baking.

Four grooves 17a are formed in the axial direction from the end face of the rotating shaft 10 facing the distal end so as to divide the outer peripheral surface of the connecting ring 17 into four parts in the circumferential direction. These grooves 17a
Corresponds to the shape of the projections 12 provided on the core 8 of the slot machine reel 2, and the entrance side opened to the end face is wide and the back side is narrow.

When connecting the slot machine reel 2 to the rotating shaft 10 of the stepping motor 9, first, the fixed cylinder 18 to which the connecting ring 17 is fixed is pressed into the rotating shaft 10.
At this time, the press-fitting length is determined such that the tip of the rotating shaft 10 protrudes from the end face of the fixed cylinder 18 by a certain length. Rotary axis 1
Since the serrations 16 are formed longer on the outer peripheral surface in the axial direction, the fixed cylinder 18 can be firmly fixed to the rotating shaft 10 at an appropriate press-fitting position.

Subsequently, as shown in FIG. 2, a projection 12 protruding from the core 8 of the slot machine reel 2 is opposed to the groove 17a on the connecting ring 17, and the rotating shaft 10 is connected to the through hole 11 of the core 8.
The reel body 3 is mounted from the axial direction so as to be inserted into the reel body 3.
At this time, since the tip side of the protrusion 12 is narrow and the entrance side of the groove 17a is wide, the protrusion 12 can easily be formed in the groove 1.
7a, the reel body 3 can be engaged with the coupling ring 17 accurately and easily. Thereby, the rotating shaft 10 and the slot machine reel 2 are connected in the rotating direction.

When the core 8 of the reel unit 3 is mounted on the rotating shaft 10, the leading end of the rotating shaft 10 has a through hole 1 as shown in FIG.
1 to a slightly lower position from the surface side of the core 8. Then, through the through hole 11 from the surface side of the core 8, the female screw 10 a of the rotating shaft 10
0 is screwed. As a result, the core 8 is pinched by the rotating shaft 10, and the slot machine reel 2 can be fixed to the rotating shaft 10 in the axial direction.

When the tip of the rotating shaft 10 is projected toward the surface of the core 8, if a washer having a thickness equal to or greater than the projected length is used together, a slot machine is similarly formed using the set screw 20. The reel 2 can be fixed. If a male screw is cut at the tip of the protruding rotary shaft 10, the slot machine reel 2 can be similarly fixed in the axial direction by, for example, screwing a wing nut into the male screw.

If the slot machine reel 2 is fixed to the rotating shaft 10 using the above-mentioned connecting device, the protrusions 12 integral with the core 8 are formed in the grooves 17a of the rubber-made connecting ring 17 in the rotating direction.
And both will be engaged under a large contact area. Therefore, even if the stepping motor 9 is suddenly started or stopped, the instantaneous driving force at the time of starting and the inertial rotating force of the reel at the time of stopping are reduced by the core 8 and the connecting ring 1.
7, the projections 12 are not worn even when used for a long time, and there is no backlash in the connecting portion.

Furthermore, in order to press-fit and fix the fixed cylinder 18, it is necessary to provide a serration 16 by rolling on the rotating shaft 10.
The working process is easier than a cutting process for performing “cutting” or a process of tapping the rotary shaft 10 in a direction perpendicular to the axial direction and cutting a screw, and is extremely advantageous in terms of manufacturing cost. In addition, since a large load is not applied in the axial direction, the slot machine reel 2 can be easily fastened only by screwing one set screw or nut in the axial direction, and the connection of the slot machine reel 2 can be improved. Exchange is easy.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the illustrated embodiments, the present invention can be implemented with various modifications and improvements within the scope of the claims. For example, as long as the engagement between the projection 12 and the groove 17a is performed in the axial direction, the shape, the number, and the position are not limited to the illustrated example. In addition, although it is somewhat disadvantageous in terms of manufacturing cost, a male screw is provided on the outer circumference of the rotating shaft 10,
The fixing cylinder 18 can also be fixed by screwing together with a locking nut. Further, in fixing the rubber connecting ring 17 to the outer periphery of the fixed cylinder 18, not only baking but also a fixing method using an adhesive or a screw may be used.

[0023]

As described above, according to the connecting device of the present invention, the connecting ring made of a thick cylindrical elastic body is fixed to the fixed cylinder fixed to the rotating shaft, and the connecting ring is Since a plurality of grooves extending to the slot are formed, and the grooves are connected to the slot machine reel in the rotational direction by engaging the protrusions provided on the core of the slot machine reel from the axial direction, There is no play between these connecting portions due to wear or loosening, and the slot machine reel can be driven and stopped stably.
Further, the projections and grooves are tapered for guiding at the time of engagement, or serrations are formed on the rotating shaft by rolling so that the fixed cylinder can be fixed by press-fitting, thereby increasing the efficiency of assembly work and manufacturing. The effect of cost reduction is also obtained.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially broken perspective view showing a connecting device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a main part of the connecting device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state where the slot machine reel is connected to a rotating shaft.

[Explanation of symbols]

 2 Slot machine reel 3 Reel body 4 Symbol sheet 8 Core 10 Rotary shaft 12 Projection 16 Serration 17 Connecting ring 17a Groove 18 Fixed cylinder

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A slot machine reel coupling device for coupling a slot machine reel having symbols arranged on its outer periphery to a rotating shaft of a motor, comprising: a fixed cylinder fixed to the outer periphery of the rotating shaft; A connecting ring made of a fixed thick cylindrical elastic body and provided with a plurality of grooves extending in the axial direction from the end face on the tip side of the rotating shaft so as to divide the outer peripheral surface at equal intervals in the circumferential direction. A plurality of projections provided integrally with the core of the slot machine reel and respectively engaging with the grooves in the axial direction; and a screw formed at the tip of the rotating shaft through a hole provided in the core of the slot machine reel. And a tightening member screwed to the portion and fixing the slot machine reel in the axial direction with respect to the rotating shaft. 2. The coupling device for a slot machine reel according to claim 1, wherein the groove is formed to be wide at the end face on the front end side of the rotating shaft, and the protrusion is formed to be narrow at the front end side. 3. The slot machine reel connection according to claim 1, wherein serrations are formed on the outer peripheral surface of the rotating shaft by a rolling process, and the fixed cylinder is fixed to the rotating shaft by press-fitting. apparatus.