JP2004073486A - Gripping arm device for crane game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a gripping arm device for a crane game machine, by which the number of parts can be reduced, and cost reduction and miniaturization are allowed. <P>SOLUTION: The gripping arm device is equipped with a cylindrical cam 36, in the outer peripheral surface of which a cam groove 38 running around over the outer periphery meandering in the axial direction has been formed, a slide ring 40, which is provided with a cap pin 42 inserted into the cam groove 38 and moved along the axial direction of the cylindrical cam 36 according to the meandering form of the cam groove 38 with the rotation of the cylindrical cam 36, an abutment member 32c provided at the rear end part 32b of a plurality of arms 32 making up a gripping means 31 and abutting on one surface in the moving direction of the slide ring 40, and a biasing means 60 for urging the arms so as to urge them in directions that tips 32a of the respective arms always approach each other. The respective components are provided so that the slide ring 40 pushes the contact member 32c of the respective arms 32 with the movement of the slide ring 40 by the rotation of the cylindrical cam 36, whereby the gripping means 31 is opened and closed. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

[0001]
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a gripping arm device for gripping a prize used in a crane game machine.
[0002]
[Prior art]
Crane game machines that hold and take out prizes housed in a prize room are conventionally installed in game centers and the like, and are generally well known.
Examples of a gripping arm device used in a conventional crane game machine are described in JP-A-11-244507, JP-A-2001-105360, and the like.
The number of arms of the gripping means according to these publications is mainly two, and a mechanism such as a gear is employed for opening and closing operations of each arm.
Specifically, gears are attached to the rotating shafts at the rear end of each arm, which are fulcrums for the rotation of the arms, so as to mesh with each other, and one of the gears is rotated by a motor or the like. The gears of the arms are linked to each other, and the arms are operated to open and close as gripping means.
[0003]
However, in the mechanism for opening and closing the gripping means by a gear as described above, it is not structurally easy to add an arm so that the number of arms is larger than two. Therefore, as an example in which the number of arms is larger than two, there is a structure as described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. Hei 7-227474.
In such a structure, a screw shaft that is rotated by a motor is provided, and a moving member that moves along the screw shaft when the screw shaft rotates is provided in screw engagement with the screw shaft. The plurality of arms are provided with an urging member so that the distal ends are urged in the closing direction, and the moving member presses the rear end of the arm against the urging force of the urging member, whereby the arm is moved. Are open so that the gripping means can be opened and closed.
By employing such a structure, the number of arms can be easily changed, and the radial dimension of the gripping arm device can be reduced.
[0004]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Regardless of the gripping arm device of the mechanism that opens and closes by a gear and the mechanism that opens and closes by a screw shaft as described above, when opening and closing the gripping means, the motor is not rotated in either the forward or reverse direction. However, a control circuit for controlling the rotation direction of the motor is required for this purpose.
Conventionally, since such a motor control circuit was required, there were problems that the number of parts was large, the entire apparatus had to be enlarged, and the manufacturing cost was high.
[0005]
Also, when the motor rotates the screw shaft and the moving member moving along the screw shaft presses the end of each arm to operate the arm to open and close the gripping means, the arm can grip the premium. The screw shaft had to be relatively long to open to such an extent. Therefore, there is a problem that even if it can be made smaller in the radial direction, it becomes longer in the axial direction.
[0006]
Further, in general, in a crane game machine, the gripping arm device portion is most easily damaged, so that only this portion needs to be repaired or replaced.
However, if the gripping arm device requires a control circuit for the motor as described above, the motor and its control circuit need to be replaced, so that the cost of replacement parts is high.
[0007]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problem, and an object of the present invention is to provide a gripping arm device capable of reducing the number of components, reducing costs, and reducing the size.
[0008]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The present invention has the following configuration to achieve the above object.
That is, according to the gripping arm device used for the crane game machine according to the present invention, in the gripping arm device used in the lane game machine, which grips the prize by the gripping means that opens and closes by the rotation of the motor, the motor and the rotation of the motor A cylindrical cam which is attached to a shaft and has a cylindrical shape rotatable about an axis by driving a motor, and having a cam groove formed on the outer peripheral surface so as to meander in the axial direction and make one round around the outer peripheral surface. A cam pin inserted into the cam groove of the cylindrical cam when arranged around the cylindrical cam, the center of which is formed from the inner wall. A slide ring that is provided so as to protrude in the direction, moves along the axial direction of the cylindrical cam according to the meandering shape of the cam groove with the rotation of the cylindrical cam, and gripping means for gripping the premium A plurality of arms, a contact portion provided at the rear end of each arm and abutting against the lower surface of the slide ring, and a pivot provided at the rear end of each arm and serving as a fulcrum for opening and closing operation. A fixing member which is rotatably mounted via the arm, and which is disposed so as to protrude downward from the outside of the slide ring on a motor mounting plate on which the motor is mounted; Biasing means for constantly biasing the distal ends of the arms toward each other, wherein the slide ring presses the contact portion of each arm as the slide ring descends due to the rotation of the cylindrical cam. Thus, the gripping means which is always closed is provided so as to be opened against the urging force.
[0009]
The effect of adopting this configuration is as follows.
The plurality of arms are normally urged by the urging means in a direction in which the tip ends approach (a direction in which the gripping means is closed).
The gripping means can be opened by pressing the vicinity of the rear end of each arm in a direction against the urging means. In other words, by pressing the vicinity of the rear end of each arm (abutting portion), each arm rotates with each rotation axis as a fulcrum, and the distal ends of the arms move away from each other. Can be opened.
A member that presses the vicinity of the rear end of the arm (contact portion) is a slide ring. Since the cam pins projecting inward from the slide ring are housed in the cam grooves of the cylindrical cam, the slide ring moves along the meandering direction of the cam grooves of the cylindrical cam with the rotation of the cylindrical cam. Due to the movement of the slide ring, the slide ring presses the contact portion of each arm.
That is, according to the present invention, a cam groove meandering in the axial direction is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the cylindrical cam so as to make one round of the outer peripheral surface, so that the slide ring can be formed only by rotating the cylindrical cam in the same direction. The motor reciprocates along the axial direction of the cylindrical cam (because the cam groove is meandering), so there is no need to rotate the motor in both forward and reverse directions. Therefore, a control circuit for the motor is not required, which contributes to a reduction in the number of parts and a reduction in cost. Further, downsizing can be achieved by eliminating the need for the control circuit.
[0010]
Further, a guide projection is provided on an outer peripheral surface of the slide ring so as to protrude outward. The guide projection is movable in a moving direction of the slide ring and is restricted in a rotating direction of the cylindrical cam. As described above, the anti-rotation guide is housed and provided.
According to this, the guide ring prevents the slide ring from rotating together with the rotation of the cylindrical cam, and the slide ring can move only in the axial direction of the cylindrical cam.
[0011]
Further, a concave portion is formed on one surface of the slide ring to accommodate the contact portion of each of the arms.
According to this, since the contact portion of the arm is housed in the concave portion, the contact portion does not come off from one surface of the slide ring, and the slide ring reliably presses the contact portion of the arm. Can be.
[0012]
Since a roller that rotates in contact with the slide ring is provided at the contact portion of each arm, even if the slide ring presses the contact portion of the arm, the roller contacts one surface of the slide ring. The frictional resistance between the contact portion becomes small, and the operation of the arm becomes smooth.
[0013]
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows an appearance structure in which the gripping means of the gripping arm device is closed, FIG. 2 shows a state in which the gripping means is open, and FIG. 3 shows opening and closing of the gripping means with the vertical movement of the slide ring. Is shown.
First, the overall configuration of the gripping arm device 30 and the outline of the opening / closing operation of the gripping means will be described.
The holding means 31 for holding the prize in the holding arm device 30 is constituted by a plurality of arms 32. In the present embodiment, the three arms 32 are arranged radially to constitute the gripping means 31.
[0014]
The opening and closing of the gripping means 31, that is, the movement of the distal end 32 a of each arm 32, is performed by driving a motor 34.
A cylindrical cam 36 is connected to the motor 34. The driving of the motor 34 rotates the cylindrical cam 36, and the slide ring 40 that moves up and down with the rotation of the cylindrical cam 36 presses the vicinity of the rear end 32 b of each arm 32. Each of the arms 32 pressed near the rear end 32b operates so that the front end 32a is separated from each other, and is opened as the holding means 31 so as to be able to hold an object.
[0015]
Subsequently, each configuration of the gripping arm device 30 will be described.
The motor 34 for opening and closing each arm 32 is fixed to the upper surface of the motor mounting plate 35 so that the rotation axis is vertically downward.
The rotation shaft of the motor 34 is connected to a cylindrical cam 36. The cylindrical cam 36 is arranged so that its rotation axis is oriented in the vertical direction.
A cam groove 38 is formed in the cylindrical cam 36 so as to make a round around the outer peripheral surface and meander vertically. A cam pin described later (provided so as to protrude from the inner periphery of the slide ring 40) enters the cam groove 38, and has a role of moving the cam pin up and down with the rotation of the cylindrical cam 36. Therefore, it is necessary that the cam groove 38 has a width and a depth such that the cam pin can enter and the cam pin can smoothly move in the groove.
[0016]
FIG. 4 shows an appearance of the cylindrical cam, and FIG. 5 shows a development view of a cam groove provided in the cylindrical cam.
The cylindrical cam 36 includes a mounting portion 37 to which the rotating shaft of the motor 34 is mounted, and a main body 39 having a cam groove 38 formed therein.
The cam groove 38 is formed so as to meander in the vertical direction (that is, in the axial direction of the rotation shaft) and to make one round of the outer peripheral surface of the main body 39.
At the apex of the cam groove 38 meandering in the vertical direction, there is provided a linear portion 38a formed parallel to the rotational direction so that the cam pin does not substantially move up and down.
[0017]
The functions and effects obtained by forming the linear portion 38a at the position of the meandering vertex of the cam groove 38 are as follows.
First, the vertex of the meandering of the cam groove 38 is that the slide ring 40 is at the uppermost point or the lowermost point. That is, when the slide ring 40 is at this position, it means that the gripping means 31 is in the fully opened state and the closed state.
Therefore, since the straight portion 38a is provided in the cam groove 38, when the gripping means 31 is fully opened and fully closed, the gripping means 31 is fully opened and closed even when the motor 34 is slightly rotated. Control can be performed so that the state in which it is cut can be maintained as it is.
[0018]
Next, the slide ring 40 disposed around the cylindrical cam will be described with reference to FIGS.
The slide ring 40 is a ring-shaped member, and is formed such that the inner diameter is larger than the outer diameter of the main body 39 of the cylindrical cam 36.
The slide ring 40 is provided with a cam pin 42 that protrudes inward and enters the cam groove 38 of the cylindrical cam 36. Since the cam pin 42 has entered the cam groove 38, the cam pin 42 moves in accordance with the meandering of the cam groove 38 with the rotation of the cylindrical cam 36. Therefore, the slide ring 40 moves up and down in the vertical direction that is the meandering direction of the cam groove 38.
[0019]
The slide ring 40 is provided with a guide projection 44 projecting outward. The guide projection 44 is provided so that the slide ring 40 does not rotate with the rotation of the cylindrical cam 36.
In the present embodiment, the cam pins 42 and the guide projections 44 projecting inward are formed of the same member. Specifically, a through-hole 43 that penetrates from the outer peripheral surface to the inner peripheral surface is formed in the slide ring 40, and a rod-like member that becomes a cam pin and guide projection is inserted into the through-hole 43 from the outer peripheral surface side. It is composed of
[0020]
Returning to FIGS. 1 to 3, the description of the entire configuration will be continued.
Around the slide ring 40, there is provided a detent guide 45 attached so as to extend downward from a motor attachment plate 35 on which the motor 34 is attached. The detent guide 45 includes two columnar members 51 spaced apart from each other by a predetermined distance from the motor mounting plate 35, and the guide projection 44 is arranged between the two columnar members 51.
When the guide projection 44 is held by the rotation preventing guide 45, the slide ring 40 is guided so as to freely move in the up-down direction and to be restricted in the rotation direction.
[0021]
Next, the structure of the arm 32 will be described.
Each of the arms 32 has a shape bent in the shape of a "ku" at an intermediate portion, and is arranged such that the front end portion 32a is below and the rear end portion 32b is above. The gripping arm device 30 is provided with a plurality of such arms 32 arranged radially.
A claw portion 52 is provided at the distal end portion 32a of the arm 32 so that the prize can be easily gripped.
An abutting portion 32c that abuts on the lower surface of the slide ring 40 is formed on an end surface of the rear end portion 32b of the arm 32. The contact portion 32c is housed in a concave portion 54 which is a concave formed on the lower surface of the slide ring 40. The contact portion 32c is provided with a roller 56, so that friction between the contact portion 32c and the inside of the concave portion 54 can be reduced. Therefore, the opening and closing of the arm 32 is performed smoothly. However, the roller 56 need not be provided.
[0022]
The motor mounting plate 35 is provided with a fixing member 58 to which the rear end 32b side of each arm 32 is mounted in addition to the detent guide 45.
The fixing member 58 rotatably supports each arm 32 in the vicinity of the rear end 32b of each arm 32 so that each arm 32 is rotatable about a rotation shaft 57.
[0023]
Further, on the rear end portion 32b side of each arm 32, there is provided an urging means 60 for urging the distal end portion 32a side of each arm 32 in a direction approaching each other. The mounting position of the urging means 60 is provided at substantially the same position as the rotation shaft 57 of the arm 32 or at a position closer to the distal end portion 32a than the rotation shaft 57.
An example of the biasing means is a spring.
On the lower surface of each arm 32, a biasing means mounting portion 61 (a screw in this embodiment; any member to which the biasing means can be attached) protruding downward is provided. The spring 60 is provided so as to span the urging means mounting portions 61 provided on the arm 32.
Note that the spring 60 does not span one arm over each arm 32, but attaches one end of one spring 60 to each arm 32, and connects the other end substantially to the axis of the cylindrical cam 36. It may be provided so as to be joined at the center.
[0024]
One example of the mounting of the urging means is shown in FIGS.
FIG. 8 shows a case where two springs 60 are extended between the arms 32 when there are two arms 32.
In FIG. 9, when there are three arms 32 and the arms 32 are arranged at equal intervals on the circumference, three springs 60 respectively attached to the urging means attaching portions 61 of the respective arms 32 are connected to the cylindrical cam. The connection is made on the central axis of rotation of 36.
In FIG. 10, when the number of the arms 32 is four and the arms 32 are arranged at equal intervals (each at 90 degrees) on the circumference, the four arms 32 attached to the urging means attaching portions 61 of the respective arms 32 are respectively provided. The book springs 60 are connected on the center axis of rotation of the cylindrical cam 36.
[0025]
Since such a spring 60 is provided on the arm 32, the distal ends 32a of the arms 32 rotatably provided around the rotation shaft 57 are always close to each other, and are closed as the gripping means 31. State.
The urging means is not limited to a spring, but may be rubber or the like.
[0026]
Further, the gripping arm device 30 is provided with a detecting means 29 for detecting whether the gripping means 31 is in an open state or a closed state.
However, in the present embodiment, the opening of the gripping means 31 is detected not by the position of the arm 32 directly but by the rotational position of the cylindrical cam 36.
Specifically, in the present embodiment, a detecting means 29 such as an optical sensor is attached to the motor mounting plate 35, and an aluminum foil which is detected by the detecting means 29 on the upper surface of the cylindrical cam 36 at a position where the gripping means 31 is open. And the like (not shown).
In this way, knowing the current open / closed state of the gripping means 31 can be useful when controlling the rotation speed of the motor 34. However, the control referred to here is not a control based on the forward / reverse rotation, but is a control of the rotational speed in one direction.
[0027]
Subsequently, the operation of the above-described gripping arm device 30 of the present invention will be described.
First, it is assumed that the gripping means 31 is in a closed state. At this time, the slide ring 40 is located at the uppermost part of the cylindrical cam 36, and the lower surface of the slide ring 40 does not press the contact portion 32c of each arm 32.
When the motor 34 is driven, the cylindrical cam 36 rotates. As the cylindrical cam 36 rotates, the slide ring 40 moves in the axial direction of the cylindrical cam 36 along the meandering direction of the cam groove 38.
Since the gripping means 31 was initially in the closed state as described above, the slide ring 40 is located at the uppermost portion of the cylindrical cam 36. When the cylindrical cam 36 rotates from this state, the slide ring 40 gradually descends along the cam groove 38.
[0028]
The slide ring 40 descends while pressing the contact portion 32 c of the arm 32 housed in the concave portion 54 formed on the lower surface thereof against the urging force of the spring 60.
When the contact portion 32c is lowered, the arm 32 is rotated from the state of being always closed so that the distal end portion 32a is opened outward with the rotation shaft 57 as a fulcrum.
Then, when the cam pin of the slide ring 40 moves to the vertex of the lowest point of meandering of the cam groove 38 of the cylindrical cam 36 (the lowest part of the cylindrical cam 36), the gripping means 31 is completely opened.
[0029]
Further, as the motor 34 is driven to rotate in the same direction, the slide ring 40 and the cam groove 38 of the cylindrical cam 36 move upward along the meandering direction of the cam groove 38.
When the slide ring 40 moves upward, the arm 32 pressed by the concave portion 54 on the lower surface thereof is rotated by the urging force of the spring 60 about the rotation shaft 57 as a fulcrum so that the distal ends 32a gradually approach each other. Then, the gripping means 31 is closed.
Then, when the cam pin 42 of the slide ring 40 reaches the vertex of the uppermost point of the meandering of the cam groove 38 of the cylindrical cam 36 (the uppermost part of the cylindrical cam 36), there is nothing to resist the urging force of the urging means, The ends 32a of the arms 32 are completely approached, and the gripping means 31 is closed.
[0030]
In the above-described embodiment, only the form in which the cam groove 38 is formed in a substantially sinusoidal curved line and meanders up and down is shown.
However, the shape of the cam groove 38 is not limited to such a shape, and may be a linear shape.
[0031]
Although various preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments, and it is a matter of course that many modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. .
[0032]
【The invention's effect】
According to the gripping arm device used in the crane game machine according to the present invention, the outer circumferential surface of the cylindrical cam is formed with a cam groove meandering in the axial direction so as to make one round of the outer circumferential surface. By simply rotating the slide ring in this direction, the slide ring reciprocates along the axial direction of the cylindrical cam, and there is no need to rotate the motor in both forward and reverse directions. Therefore, a control circuit for the motor is not required, which contributes to a reduction in the number of parts and a reduction in cost. Further, downsizing can be achieved by eliminating the need for the control circuit.
[0033]
According to the second aspect of the invention, the guide ring prevents the slide ring from rotating together with the rotation of the cylindrical cam, and the slide ring can move only in the axial direction of the cylindrical cam. it can.
[0034]
Further, according to the third aspect of the present invention, since the contact portion of the arm is housed in the concave portion, the contact portion does not come off from one surface of the slide ring, and the slide ring is securely attached to the arm. The contact portion can be pressed.
[0035]
According to the fourth aspect of the present invention, even if the slide ring presses the contact portion of the arm, the frictional resistance between one surface of the slide ring and the contact portion is reduced, and the operation of the arm is smooth. Can be
[Brief description of the drawings]
FIG. 1 is an external view from the side showing a state where an arm is closed in a gripping arm device according to the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an external view of the gripping arm device shown in FIG.
FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of a gripping arm device for explaining opening and closing of an arm.
FIG. 4 is a side view of a cylindrical cam.
FIG. 5 is a development view of a cam groove formed in the cylindrical cam.
FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram for explaining movement of a slide ring in the axial direction of a cylindrical cam.
FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram illustrating movement of a slide ring in the axial direction of a cylindrical cam.
FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing an example in which a spring as an example of an urging means is attached to two arms.
FIG. 9 is an explanatory view showing an example in which a spring as an example of an urging means is attached to three arms.
FIG. 10 is an explanatory view showing an example in which a spring as an example of an urging means is attached to four arms.
[Explanation of symbols]
29 detecting means 30 gripping arm device 31 gripping means 32 arm 32a tip 32b rear end 32c abutting part 34 motor 35 motor mounting plate 35 mounting plate 36 cylindrical cam 37 mounting part 38 cam groove 38a linear part 39 body part 40 slide ring 42 cam pin 43 through hole 44 guide protrusion 45 detent guide 51 columnar member 52 claw 54 recess 56 roller 57 rotating shaft 58 fixing member 60 biasing means (spring)
61 Energizing means mounting part

Claims (5)

In a gripping arm device that is used in a crane game machine and grips a prize by gripping means that opens and closes by rotation of a motor,
Motor and
It has a cylindrical shape attached to the rotating shaft of the motor and rotatable about the axis by driving the motor, and a cam groove meandering in the axial direction and making one round on the outer circumferential surface is formed on the outer circumferential surface. Cylindrical cam,
A cam pin inserted into the cam groove of the cylindrical cam when arranged around the cylindrical cam is formed in a ring shape having a larger diameter than the outer diameter of the cylindrical cam. A slide ring that is provided so as to protrude, and moves along the axial direction of the cylindrical cam according to the meandering shape of the cam groove with the rotation of the cylindrical cam,
A plurality of arms constituting a holding means for holding a prize,
A contact portion provided at the rear end of each arm and in contact with the lower surface of the slide ring;
A sliding ring provided on a motor mounting plate on which the motor is mounted, wherein the arm is rotatably mounted via a rotating shaft provided at the rear end of the arm and serving as a fulcrum of opening and closing operation. A fixing member arranged to protrude downward from the outside of the
Biasing means for constantly biasing the distal ends of the arms toward each other,
The slide ring is provided so that the slide ring presses the contact portion of each arm as the slide ring is lowered by the rotation of the cylindrical cam, and the gripping means which is always closed by the biasing means is opened against the biasing force. A gripping arm device for a crane game machine. Guide projections are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the slide ring to protrude outward,
The guide projection is provided so as to be movable in the moving direction of the slide ring and housed in a detent guide so as to be restricted in the rotation direction of the cylindrical cam. Item 2. A gripping arm device for a crane game machine according to Item 1. 3. A gripping arm device for a crane game machine according to claim 1, wherein a concave portion for accommodating a contact portion of each of the arms is formed on one surface of the sliding ring in a moving direction. . 4. The crane game machine according to claim 1, 2, or 3, wherein a roller rotating in contact with one surface of the slide ring in a moving direction is provided at a contact portion of each arm. Gripping arm device. The crane game machine according to claim 1, 2, 3, or 4, further comprising detection means for detecting whether the gripping means is open and / or closed. For gripping arm device.

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