JP2003079901A - Game apparatus having solenoid drive circuit and drive control method for solenoid - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To save power and to provide a simple control constitution by alleviating the overheating of a solenoid effectively even if the solenoid is driven for a long period of time, to decrease the noise significantly and to improve the durability. SOLUTION: A first drive-control is carried out based on a control signal 317 to obtain a high torque operation Na corresponding to the discharging period from the upper limit Va (a high voltage) of the output voltage Vp of a capacitor 312 to the lower limit Vb (a low voltage) at the initial drive state of a solenoid 313 and to hold a low torque operation Nb corresponding to the lower limit Vb of the output voltage Vp of a capacitor 312 at a later drive stage after the plunger 313c of the solenoid 313 is sucked. At a drive halt period when the plunger 313c is not sucked, a second drive-control is carried out based on the control signal 317 not to obtain torque corresponding to the charging period from the lower limit Vb of the output voltage Vp to the upper limit Va .

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a gaming machine having a solenoid drive circuit for actuating an accessory requiring high torque, and a solenoid drive control method.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in the field of a game machine such as a pachinko machine, a solenoid drive is used to operate an accessory that requires high torque.

Since this solenoid overheats when it is energized for a long time, in recent years, a drive circuit for efficiently reducing the overheating has been actively developed.

For example, as a first conventional example, Japanese Patent No. 17
In the "solenoid driving device in a pachinko machine" described in No. 46475, when a high voltage is applied to the solenoid to actuate the plunger, it is possible to switch the high voltage from a low voltage to a low voltage by a micro switch, so that the solenoid can be operated for a long time. It is designed not to overheat when energized.

As a second conventional example, Japanese Patent No. 174973 is used.
In the "solenoid driving device in a pachinko machine" described in No. 9, a short-term pulse signal for turning on the first switching element and a second
By simultaneously outputting the rectangular wave signal of the required period for turning on the switching element from each control device, overheating is prevented even when the solenoid is energized for a long time.

As a third conventional example, Japanese Patent No. 186409 is available.
In the "method for driving the solenoid device of the winning opening / closing mechanism in the pachinko machine" described in No. 3, after the plunger suction state of the solenoid is stabilized, the power supplied to the solenoid is reduced within the range where this suction state can be maintained. , The surplus power was reduced to suppress heat generation.

[0007]

However, the conventional technique has the following problems.

In the first conventional example, when the plunger is actuated by the suction operation of the solenoid, the switching control from the high voltage to the low voltage is performed by mechanical contact with the microswitch. For this reason, the lever of the solenoid that pulls with high torque hits the micro switch shockly,
Durability may occur.

In the second conventional example, since two types of switching elements are used and two solenoid drive control systems are required, there is a problem in that the control system circuit becomes complicated and the load increases.

In the third conventional example, the chopper control is used as the solenoid drive control to limit the current to prevent overheating, so that the load on the control system is increased and the change in the current is increased, resulting in noise from the wiring. There is a problem of generating a signal.

Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide a solenoid switch even when the solenoid is energized for a long time without switching the voltage with a microswitch, switching between two high and low voltage systems by control, and controlling the chopper. An object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine having a solenoid drive circuit and a solenoid drive control method capable of efficiently reducing overheating to save labor and realizing a simple control circuit configuration.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a gaming machine having a solenoid drive circuit, which suppresses noise generation as much as possible and has excellent durability, and a solenoid drive control method.

[0013]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a gaming machine having a solenoid drive circuit for actuating an accessory, and an upper limit for setting an upper limit value of the output voltage required for operating the solenoid with high torque. Value setting means, lower limit value setting means for setting the lower limit value of the output voltage, which is necessary for operating the solenoid at low torque, and charging processing from the lower limit value to the upper limit value of the output voltage. The discharge process from the upper limit value to the lower limit value, the charging / discharging means performing in conjunction with the operation of the solenoid, and the solenoid, the upper limit value of the output voltage in the drive initial state at the time of plunger suction To a lower limit value, the motor operates at a high torque corresponding to the discharge period, and a low torque corresponding to the lower limit value of the output voltage in the latter driving state after the plunger suction. The first control means for controlling the drive based on the control signal so as to hold the solenoid and the solenoid in the drive stopped state when the plunger is not sucked up to the upper limit value from the lower limit value of the output voltage. By providing the second control means for controlling the drive based on the control signal so as not to generate the torque corresponding to the charging period,
A gaming machine having a solenoid drive circuit is configured.

The present invention is a drive control method of a solenoid for operating an accessory in a game machine, wherein the step of setting an upper limit value of the output voltage required for operating the solenoid with high torque, A step of setting a lower limit value of the output voltage, which is necessary for operating the solenoid with a low torque, and the solenoid reaches the lower limit value from the upper limit value of the output voltage in a driving initial state during plunger attraction. It operates on the basis of the control signal so that it operates with a high torque corresponding to the discharge period up to and the low torque is maintained corresponding to the lower limit value of the output voltage in the latter state of the drive after the plunger suction. A first control step of controlling, and a charging period from the lower limit value of the output voltage to the upper limit value of the output voltage when the solenoid is in a drive stop state when the plunger is not attracted. So as not to generate torque in response to, by comprising a second control step of controlling driving on the basis of a control signal, to provide a drive control method of the solenoid.

[0015]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings.

In this example, a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example of a gaming machine having a solenoid drive circuit for operating the accessory.

<System Configuration> First, a schematic configuration of a pachinko machine will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing the electrical construction of the pachinko machine 1, which is provided on the back side of the game board (see FIG. 7 described later).

The pachinko machine 1 is roughly divided into a main board 10, an input side sub-board 20 and an output side sub-board 30. The main board 10 and the sub-boards 20 and 30 are connected to each other via an interface section.

The main board 10 is a main controller for game control having a game control function and a command command generation function. On the main board 10, a main control unit (CPU) 11 that performs overall control, a ROM 12 that stores a system program and various control programs, a storage area for various data, and an operation processing operation. RA used as area
M13 and a solenoid drive circuit 300 according to the present invention are provided.

The input port 2 is provided on the input side sub-board 20.
Through 1, the special symbol start switch 22, the normal symbol operation switch 23, the special winning opening switch 24 is connected. Further, a power supply circuit 25 for converting the commercial AC power supply 100V into AC 24V and a reset circuit 26 for performing the reset operation of the main program in a predetermined cycle are provided.

The output port 3 is provided on the output side sub-board 30.
1, through the special symbol display device 100, a mini-digital normal symbol display device 205, a lamp display device 207,
A device in which various game functions such as a sound effect generating device 32 and a prize ball payout device 33 are divided is mounted, and each of these devices includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, a command receiving function, and is programmed. . That is, the device on the main substrate 10 side and the device on the sub substrate 30 side have a master-slave relationship.

In addition, although not shown, actual inspection parts, LED lamps, lamp lamps, various actuators (solenoids, rotary motors), speakers, indicators, etc. are mounted on the sub-board 30.

The output port 31 is connected to a normal electric accessory operating solenoid 34 and a special winning opening operating solenoid 35. The solenoids 34 and 35 are drive-controlled by a solenoid drive circuit 300.

(Game board) FIG. 7 shows a special symbol display device 10.
The front view of the game board of the pachinko machine provided with 0 is shown.

In the special symbol display device 100, the LCD
On the panel 110, the left pattern 110a, the middle pattern 110
b, three patterns of the right pattern 110c are formed. These patterns are formed by a two-dimensional image and a three-dimensional image, and each pattern changes individually.

Reference numeral 200 is a starting winning opening through which the game ball 201 wins. The starting winning opening 200 is an ordinary electric accessory (electric tulip).

The starting winning opening 200 is opened / closed by driving and controlling the ordinary electric accessory operating solenoid 34 by the solenoid drive circuit 300 according to the present invention.

Reference numeral 202 denotes a variable winning ball device (attacker) having a special winning opening 203. The special winning opening 203 is provided with a continuous winning area (V zone) 204.

The variable winning ball device 202 is opened and closed by driving and controlling the special winning opening operating solenoid 35 by the solenoid driving circuit 300 according to the present invention.

Reference numeral 205 is a mini-digital normal symbol display device. 206 is a normal symbol operation gate (through chucker).

Reference numeral 207 is a lamp display device. 208
Is an out mouth.

(Solenoid Drive Circuit) Next, the solenoid drive circuit 300 according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS.

FIG. 1 shows a circuit configuration of a solenoid drive circuit 300 capable of high torque operation and low torque holding.

Reference numeral 301 is a bridge rectifier. The bridge rectifier 301 rectifies 24V AC on the input side.

Reference numeral 302 is a power supply line for outputting the rectified + DC voltage. 303 is an earth line (G
ND).

Reference numeral 304 denotes a smoothing capacitor, which produces about DC32V as a peak voltage.

Reference numeral 305 is a power source section including a power source line 302, an earth line 303, and a smoothing capacitor 304.

Reference numeral 306 is a constant voltage power source. The constant voltage power supply 306 converts the input voltage of about DC32V into DC
Convert to a constant voltage of 12V and DC 5V.

Reference numeral 307 is an output line for outputting a voltage of DC 12V.

Reference numeral 308 is an output line for outputting a voltage of DC5V.

Reference numeral 309 is a diode (D1) whose anode side is connected to the power supply line 302. The diode 309 has a function as a rectifier that prevents a backflow of the current of the power supply line 302.

Reference numeral 310 is a diode (D2) whose anode side is connected to the output line 307. The diode 310 has a function as a rectifier that prevents a reverse current with respect to the current of the power supply line 307.

Reference numeral 311 is a resistor (R) connected between the cathode of the diode 309 and the cathode of the diode 310. The resistor 311 limits the current for charging the current in the output line 302 through the diode 309 to the capacitor 312.

Reference numeral 312 is a capacitor having one end connected to the resistor 311 and the cathode of the diode 310 and the other end connected to the ground line 303. The capacitor 312 charges the voltage of the output line 302 and causes a current to flow when the solenoid 313 is pulled.

Reference numeral 313 is a solenoid having one end connected to the point P of the capacitor 312 and the other end connected to the power device 314. The solenoid 313 corresponds to the normal electric accessory operating solenoid 34 and the special winning opening operating solenoid 35 described above. By the operation of the solenoid 313, the start winning hole 200 and the variable winning ball device 202 are opened and closed as a winning character.

Reference numeral 314 is a power device for driving the solenoid 313. As the power device 314,
For example, a transistor element such as a power MOSFET is used.

A control signal 3 for inputting various switch signals and the like to drive the power device 314 is input to 315.
It is a control circuit that outputs various control signals such as 17. The control circuit 315 is supplied with DC12V and DC5V from the constant voltage power supply 306 through output lines 307 and 308.

Reference numeral 316 is a signal input line to which various input signals such as a switch signal are input via the above-mentioned main controller 11. The switch signal is a signal from the normal symbol operation switch 23, the special winning opening switch 24, or the like.

Reference numeral 317 is a control signal output from the control circuit 315 to the power device 314.

Reference numeral 318 is a control signal output from the control circuit 315 as another control output.

Solenoid drive circuit 3 as described above
In 00, the following components are listed as the minimum required to realize the present invention. That is, the power supply unit 305 that outputs a high voltage required to generate a high torque (Na in FIG. 3) and the constant voltage that outputs a low voltage required to generate a low torque (Nb in FIG. 3). Voltage power supply 30
6 and a capacitor 312 capable of charging enough energy to fully suck the plunger 313c of the solenoid 313.
And a resistor 31 that does not generate more heat than necessary during the charging current limit of the capacitor 312 and the holding time of the solenoid 313.
The diodes 309 and 310 that prevent the voltages of the first and second systems from flowing backward, the power device 314 that operates the solenoid 313, and the control circuit 315 that outputs the control signal 317 that controls the driving of the power device 314 are minimized. is necessary.

Then, such a solenoid drive circuit 3
In 00, the power supply unit 305 for generating high torque Na is
Capacitor 3 through diode 309 and resistor 311
The high voltage of about DC32V charged to 12 is used, and the constant voltage power supply 306 for maintaining the low torque Nb supplies the low voltage such as DC12V through the diode 310 to the same capacitor 312.
It is charged so that it is controlled to maintain a stable holding voltage.

(Basic Configuration of Solenoid) FIG. 2 shows a general configuration example of the solenoid 313. Solenoid 31
In general, 3 is a coil 313a wound around a bobbin, a metal frame 313b that efficiently passes a magnetic field generated when the coil 313a is energized, and a plan that slides in the bobbin wound around the coil 313a. Jar 31
3c and 3c. The tip of the plunger 313c is connected to the support plate 401 via the spring 400. Further, the plunger 313c is provided with a rotating plate 403 which is rotatable around the rotating shaft 402. The rotation of the rotating plate 403 is restricted by a stopper 404.

At the start of the operation (driving initial state), the plunger 313c starts its operation from a state in which a necessary operating distance portion is out of the bobbin around which the coil 313a is wound. At the start of this operation, due to the relationship between the bobbin around which the coil 313a is wound and the plunger 313c, the operation is started from the state where the suction force is weakest even if the same current is applied.
As the plunger 313c is sucked into the bobbin around which the coil 313a is wound, the suction torque also increases.

The position (origin) at the start of the operation of the plunger 313c is X0, and the position (the longest end) at the end of the operation is X.
If it is 1, the total stroke length can be expressed as L = X1−X0. The displacement amount of this stroke is represented as ΔX. Therefore, by rotating the rotating plate 403 in accordance with the suction operation of the plunger 313c,
It is possible to open and close the accessory (opening / closing opening of the starting winning opening 200, the variable winning ball device 202, etc.) according to the displacement amount ΔX.

<System Operation> The operation of this apparatus including the solenoid drive circuit 300 will be described below.

In this example, a drive circuit which fully utilizes the operating characteristics of the solenoid 313 as shown in FIG. 2 and which can operate with high torque Na while suppressing heat generation of the solenoid 313 is provided. .

(Circuit Operation) First, the solenoid drive circuit 3
The operation of 00 will be described.

In FIG. 1, 24 V AC is input to the bridge rectifier 301 and rectified into a + DC voltage on the power supply line 302 and a −DC voltage on the ground line 303. This rectified voltage is smoothed by the smoothing capacitor to generate a peak voltage of about DC32V, and the constant voltage power supply 30
6 and a diode 309 and a resistor 311
The capacitor 312 is charged through

The constant voltage power supply 306 produces a constant voltage of DC 12V and a constant voltage of DC 5V. The voltage of DC12V is charged to the capacitor 312 through the diode 310 and is supplied as the holding voltage of the solenoid 313.

The control circuit 315 uses DC12V and DC.
It operates by receiving a power supply of 5V. In this operation, various controls are performed by an input signal such as a switch signal from the signal input line 316, and a control signal 317 is sent to the power device 314 as its output. The switching operation of the power device 314 causes the solenoid 313 to perform a suction operation. The control circuit 315 controls the other control signals 318.
Is also output.

(Operation of Solenoid) Next, the solenoid 3
The operation of No. 13 will be described.

FIG. 3 shows the operating voltage of the charging voltage of the capacitor 312 and the plunger 313c of the solenoid 313 with respect to the control signal 317.

Vc is a control signal 317 output from the control circuit 315.

Vp is an output voltage corresponding to the charging voltage at the point P based on the charging / discharging of the capacitor 312. This output voltage Vp changes within the range of the maximum value Va = DC32V and the minimum value Vb = DC12V. Maximum value Va
Are created from the power supply unit 305 via the diode 309 and the resistor 311. The minimum value Vb is created from the constant voltage power supply 306 via the diode 310.

ΔX represents the amount of stroke displacement in the plunger 313c of the solenoid 313. This displacement amount ΔX is displaced in the range from the maximum value X1 of the stroke to the minimum value X0. The total stroke length is L = X1-X0.

In FIGS. 1 and 3, the capacitor 312 is charged with the DC voltage of the power supply unit 305 through the diode 309 and the resistor 311. The charging current is limited by the resistor 311, and when the power device 314 performs a switching operation based on a control signal 317 including an ON / OFF pulse signal, the solenoid 31
An electric current flows through 3, and the suction operation of the plunger 313c is started. When it is completely sucked, the resistance 3
Since heat is generated by the current flowing through 11, the resistor has a sufficient capacity.

[0069] Here, the relationship between the resistance 311 and the capacitor 312, determined by the interval and operation time to operate the solenoid 313, in this constant does not operate the solenoid 313 times (Fig. _3, the t 2 ~t ₃ Off time),
It is necessary to set a resistance value capable of charging the capacitor 312 with a voltage enough to operate the solenoid 313. Therefore, when the operation interval is set to be short, the capacitor 313 cannot be sufficiently charged, and a means for reducing heat generation of the solenoid 313 cannot be taken.

The capacitor 312 is charged with the voltage from the power source unit 305 through the diode 309 and the resistor 311 and the charged voltage is used as the output voltage Vp in the solenoid 31.
3, the solenoid 313 needs to have a sufficient capacity to attract.

Further, the condenser 312 and the solenoid 31
The relationship with 3 is that when the power device 314 performs a switching operation and is turned on, the solenoid 313 charges the capacitor 312, that is, the output voltage which is the maximum voltage (maximum value Va≈DC32V) required for the operation. Vp is applied. By applying this output voltage Vp,
Plunger 3 of solenoid 313 over time
13c is drawn into the bobbin wound with the coil 313a. In parallel with this operation, the charging voltage of the capacitor 312, that is, the value of the output voltage Vp drops, and the voltage from the output line 307 through the diode 310 (minimum value V
b = DC12V) and it stabilizes. This stable state becomes the holding state.

By matching the appropriate capacity of the capacitor 312 and the current capacity of the solenoid 313, it is possible to operate the solenoid 313 stably without waste.

(Specific Example) Next, a specific example will be described.

FIG. 4 shows the waveforms associated with FIG. 3 above. Vp is the output voltage of the capacitor 312 that is charged / discharged. From the maximum value Va (approximately DC32V) to the minimum value V
It changes within the range of b (DC12V).

Vo is a terminal voltage of the power device 314.

Vc is a pulse waveform of the control signal 317 output from the control circuit 315.

Is is an operating current (discharge current) flowing through the solenoid 313.

However, the resistance 311 is R = 1.1 kΩ, the capacity of the capacitor 312 is C = 1000 μF, and the solenoid 3 is
The DC resistance Rs of 13 is set to 50 Ω.

When set in this way, the capacitor 31
The second charging voltage, that the output voltage Vp ≒ DC32V, (in FIG. 3, the period of _t 0 ~t ₁ during the on-time) of about 50m seconds as the initial driving state operating current Is only solenoid 313 flows. After that, the voltage is stabilized by the current supplied from the DC12V output line 307, and the output voltage of the capacitor 312 drops to Vp≈DC12V.

After the operation of the solenoid 313 is completed,
Through the diode 309 and the resistor 311 having R = 1.1 kΩ, the capacitor 312 having the capacitance C = 1000 μF is fully charged, whereby the output voltage of the capacitor 312 is set to Vp≈DC32V again. The time required for full charge is about 3 seconds (in FIG. 3, t ₂ off period of ~t ₃₎ according Therefore, the intermittent operation of the solenoid 313 is ideally take the off-time of at least 3 seconds or more desirable. Therefore, it is necessary to set the pulse width of the pulse waveform of the control signal 317 output from the control circuit 315 so that the off time becomes 3 seconds or more.

(Procedure of Solenoid Drive Control) Next, the procedure of drive control of the solenoid 313 will be summarized and described.

FIG. 5 shows a solenoid 31 for operating an accessory.
6 is a flowchart showing the flow of drive control processing of No. 3 in FIG.

In step S1, the capacitor 31 necessary for operating the solenoid 313 with high torque Na is used.
The upper limit value Va of the output voltage Vp corresponding to the charging voltage at point P of 2 is set. The upper limit value Va of the output voltage Vp here is a value supplied from the power supply line 302 of the power supply unit 305, and corresponds to Va≈DC32V.

In step S2, the capacitor 31 necessary for operating the solenoid 313 with low torque Nb is used.
The lower limit value Vb of the output voltage Vp corresponding to the charging voltage at point P of 2 is set. The lower limit value Vb of the output voltage Vp here is a value supplied from the output line 307 of the constant voltage power supply 306, and corresponds to Vb≈DC12V.

In step S3, the charging process from the lower limit value Vb to the upper limit value Va of the output voltage Vp and the discharging process from the upper limit value Va to the lower limit value Vb are interlocked with the operation of the solenoid 313. Design the charge / discharge circuit so that it can be performed.

At step S4, the solenoid 313
In the initial driving state when the plunger 313c is attracted, the plunger 31 operates at a high torque Na corresponding to the discharge period from the upper limit value Va to the lower limit value Vb of the output voltage Vp, and the plunger 31
In the latter driving state after 3c suction, the lower limit value V of the output voltage Vp is
The power device 314 is drive-controlled based on the control signal 317 so as to maintain the low torque Nb corresponding to b.

That is, the control signal 317 is turned on and the power device 314 is driven to drive the power device 314 to attract the plunger 313c. That is, t ₀ to
In the t ₁ period (for example, 50 msec), the upper limit value Va≈DC32V of the output voltage Vp of the capacitor 312 is changed to the lower limit value Vb.
≈ By performing discharge within the range of DC12V,
A high torque Na corresponding to the magnitude of the discharge current, that is, the operating current Is is generated.

Similarly, by maintaining the drive state of the power device 314 while keeping the control signal 317 on, the latter drive state after the plunger 313c is attracted, that is, the control signal Vc shown in FIG. 3 is turned on. During the period t ₁ to t _{2 of the} period, the discharge current, that is, the operating current Is, is generated by performing weak discharge based on the lower limit value Vb≈DC12V of the output voltage Vp of the capacitor 312.
A low torque Nb corresponding to the magnitude of is generated.

At step S5, the solenoid 313
In the drive stopped state when the plunger 313c is not attracted, the control signal 317 is set so that torque is not generated during the charging period from the lower limit value Vb to the upper limit value Va of the output voltage Vp.
The power device 314 is driven and controlled based on

That is, the control signal 317 is turned off and the power device 314 is stopped so that the plunger 313c is not sucked, that is, t ₂ during the off period of the control signal Vc shown in FIG. During a period of up to t ₃ (for example, 3 seconds or more), full charge is performed in the range from the lower limit value ≈DC12V to the upper limit value ≈DC32V of the output voltage Vp of the capacitor 312.

Therefore, even when the solenoid 313 is in the operating state, the low torque Nb is continuously maintained in the latter driving state after the plunger 313c is attracted (the period from t ₁ to t _{2 in} FIG. 3), so that compared with the conventional case. It is possible to significantly reduce the amount of heat generated during solenoid operation. As a result, when a big hit occurs and continuous winning is continuously generated, it is possible to prevent the solenoid 313 from being overheated even if the big winning opening operating solenoid 35 is energized for a long time.

For this reason, the structure of the control circuit is simplified by eliminating the control mechanism for switching the voltage by the micro switch, the control mechanism for switching the two high and low voltage systems by control, the control mechanism by the chopper, etc. as in the conventional example. Can be converted.

(High torque / Low torque) Next, high torque N
The a and the low torque Nb will be described.

When the attraction force of the solenoid 313 is F and the displacement amount of the plunger 313c is ΔX, the torque N
Can be defined as N (torque) = F (suction force) × ΔX (displacement amount) (1).

Here, the attractive force F is proportional to the magnetizing force acting on the plunger 313c by the solenoid 313, this magnetizing force is proportional to the strength of the magnetic field generated in the solenoid 313, and the strength of the magnetic field is the coil 313a. It is proportional to the operating current Is flowing through. Therefore, if the operating current Is is large, the attraction force F will increase.

As shown in FIG. 4, the operating current Is is t ₀ to t ₁ during the ON period of the control signal Vc in the initial driving state.
A large value is shown in the period (about 50 msec), but t ₁ to t during the ON period of the control signal Vc, which is in the latter driving state.
_{In the two} periods, it shows only a small value, which is about 1/2 or less of the initial value.

From the above, the high torque Na and the low torque Nb can be defined as follows, respectively.

The high torque Na means the plunger 313c.
Corresponds to the energy when the attraction force F with respect to is maximum (the operating current Is is maximum), that is, the attraction energy required from the displacement amount ΔX to 0 to the total stroke length L.

The low torque Nb means the plunger 313c.
Corresponds to the energy required to hold that state (the operating current Is is the minimum) after suction, that is, the holding energy necessary to maintain the displacement amount ΔX corresponding to the total stroke length L after suction.

Therefore, for example, in FIG.
Plunger 3 with Vc cycle time of 30 seconds
13c Drive stop time when not sucking (t_Two~ T_ThreePeriod) 3
When set to seconds, the high pressure during suction of the plunger 313c
On-time (t ₀~ T₁Very short)
It takes about 50 msec.
ON time (t₁~ T_TwoNon)
It is possible to always take a long time, for example, about 26.95 seconds
You can take

Since this one cycle period corresponds to one opening / closing operation of the winning opening, if a big hit occurs and a continuous winning occurs, for example, if 20 times continue, 20
The opening / closing operation of the winning opening is continued only for × 30 seconds = 600 seconds (10 minutes), and the heat generation amount during the solenoid operation is increased accordingly. However, in the present invention, the time for operating the high torque (that is, 50 msec / 30 seconds) during the on period is the time for maintaining the low torque (that is, 2
6.95 seconds / 30 seconds), the heat generation amount during the solenoid operation can be significantly reduced as compared with the conventional case even if the continuous operation is performed for 10 minutes.

Moreover, as can be seen from FIG. 4, the value of the operating current Ic at low torque (t _{1 to} t ₂ period) is about half that at high torque (t _{0 to} t ₁ period). The amount of heat generated at low torque (proportional to the square of Ic) is about 1/4 that at high torque.
Can be suppressed to

From the above, it is possible to prevent the solenoid 313 from being overheated even when the special winning opening operating solenoid 35 is energized for a long time.

[0104]

As described above, according to the present invention,
In the initial driving state of the solenoid, high torque Na operation is performed corresponding to the discharge period from the upper limit value (high voltage) to the lower limit value (low voltage) of the capacitor output voltage, and in the latter driving state after the solenoid is attracted by the plunger. In order to maintain the low torque Nb corresponding to the lower limit value of the capacitor output voltage,
Based on the control signal, the first drive control based on the control signal is performed so that torque is not generated corresponding to the charging period from the lower limit value to the upper limit value of the output voltage in the drive stopped state in which the plunger is not attracted. Since the second drive control is performed, it is possible to realize a solenoid drive circuit with less heat generation, which enables long-time operation in a state in which overheating of the solenoid is reduced, thereby saving labor.
Work efficiency can be improved.

Further, according to the present invention, in the initial driving state of the solenoid, the high voltage charged in the capacitor is discharged along with the operation of the solenoid and draws a smooth discharge curve. It is possible to reduce the occurrence, and since the solenoid can be driven by software control without relying on mechanical control, it is possible to create a device having excellent durability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram showing a configuration of a solenoid drive circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram showing a basic configuration and operation of a solenoid.

FIG. 3 is a timing chart showing an output voltage of a capacitor and an operation of a solenoid plunger with respect to a control signal.

FIG. 4 is a timing chart showing a measurement example.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a solenoid drive control process.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of a pachinko machine provided with a solenoid drive circuit.

FIG. 7 is a front view showing a configuration example of a game board.

[Explanation of symbols]

300 solenoid drive circuit 301 bridge rectifier 302 power line 303 Earth line 304 smoothing capacitor 305 Power supply 306 constant voltage power supply 307,308 Output line 309,310 diode 311 resistance 312 capacitors 313 solenoid 313a coil 313b frame 313c Plunger 314 Power device 315 Control circuit 316 Signal input line 317, 318 Control signal 400 spring 401 support plate 402 rotation axis 403 Rotating plate 404 stopper

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A game device having a solenoid drive circuit for operating a accessory, comprising: an upper limit value setting means for setting an upper limit value of an output voltage necessary for operating the solenoid with high torque; and the solenoid. Required to operate with low torque,
A lower limit value setting means for setting a lower limit value of the output voltage, a charging process from the lower limit value to the upper limit value of the output voltage, and a discharge process from the upper limit value to the lower limit value, A charging / discharging means that operates in tandem with the operation of the solenoid, and the solenoid has a high torque corresponding to the discharge period from the upper limit value to the lower limit value of the output voltage in the initial driving state during plunger attraction. A first control means that operates based on a control signal so as to maintain a low torque corresponding to the lower limit value of the output voltage in the latter driving state after the plunger is attracted, and the solenoid. However, in the drive stopped state when the plunger is not attracted, torque is generated based on the control signal so as not to generate torque corresponding to the charging period from the lower limit value to the upper limit value of the output voltage. Gaming apparatus having a solenoid drive circuit, characterized in that it comprises a second control means for turning control. 2. A method for controlling a drive of a solenoid for operating an accessory in a game machine, comprising the step of setting an upper limit value of an output voltage required to operate the solenoid with high torque, and the solenoid. Required to operate with low torque,
A step of setting a lower limit value of the output voltage, wherein the solenoid operates at a high torque corresponding to a discharge period from the upper limit value to the lower limit value of the output voltage in an initial driving state during plunger attraction. And, in the latter driving state after the plunger suction, the first control step of controlling the driving based on the control signal so as to maintain the low torque corresponding to the lower limit value of the output voltage, and the solenoid. In the drive stopped state when the plunger is not attracted, the drive control is performed based on the control signal so that torque is not generated corresponding to the charging period from the lower limit value to the upper limit value of the output voltage. And a drive control method of a solenoid.