JP2006130229A - Wiring connection structure for control board assembly - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a wiring connection structure for the prevention of the dishonest access action through a clearance generated between the opening part for the insertion of the connectors of a board housing case for housing the circuit board. <P>SOLUTION: In the control board assembly where the control circuit board having the required electronic components and the board connectors mounted on it is built inside a housing case, the wiring connection structure for the control board assembly includes a wiring connector with a wire cable fitted and connected into the board connectors through the opening part for the insertion of the connectors formed in the housing case. A cup like connector cover encloses the wiring connectors joined surrounding it and with the wiring connectors fitted and connected into the board connector, a diameter extended end part as the open end of the connector cover is kept in contact with the external surface of the housing case surrounding the opening part formed in the housing case so as to keep the opening part formed in the housing case from being exposed outside of the connector cover. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2006,JPO&NCIPI

Description

  The present invention relates to a wiring connection structure for a control board assembly, which is useful for preventing illegal acts used in a gaming machine casing such as a pachinko or pachislot machine.

  In recent years, gaming machines such as pachinko machines and pachislot machines (slot machines) use a large number of electronic parts and use a program control system to control and manage the gaming state of the gaming machine. Electronic parts such as a microprocessor unit (MPU), IC and LSI are mounted on a circuit board and used.

  For example, in the case of a pachislot machine, the program control method determines the winning (bonus) state, issues a medal payout command, monitors the player's start and stop operation states, and responds accordingly. It is responsible for centralized management operations of pachislot machines, such as controlling the rotation of the body reels and issuing commands to display the gaming status. The control program for that purpose is stored in a read-only memory (ROM), and it contributes to the provision of a flexible and economical pachislot machine, such as adding a new function by replacing this ROM.

  By the way, in gaming machines with gambling characteristics such as pachinko and pachislot, illegal acts called “goto acts” have not been followed for a long time, but with the computerization of gaming machines, for example, a regular control program has been added. Such as replacing the read-only memory (ROM) with an illegal program ROM, accessing the electronic components and printed wiring on the circuit board using a wire, etc., and causing the electronic circuit to malfunction due to grounding or shorting, etc. Problems with cheating have also arisen.

  Therefore, the circuit board of the gaming machine is placed in a board housing case made of a transparent hard resin (or referred to as a “control board assembly” when the control circuit board to be housed and the board housing case are considered together), and these unauthorized access acts Take preventive measures.

  The above-mentioned substrate housing case is generally composed of a main body case and an upper lid case, and the upper lid case can be opened and closed, and has a structure that protects the circuit board by an engagement mechanism and a plurality of caulking structures in order to prevent unauthorized opening. . In addition to these structures, seal seals are also used in combination, making it difficult for unauthorized access to open, and if opened, the traces remain and are easy to find, and have authority for inspection and maintenance work. When a person intends to open the door, it can be easily opened with good workability.

JP 2004-209238 A JP 2003-305256 A

  The circuit board accommodated in the board assembly described above is connected to other devices in the gaming machine by a wiring cable. For this reason, the board housing case is provided with an opening for inserting the connector of the wiring cable or the board connector. Even if an attempt is made to eliminate the gap between the board connector and the connector insertion opening, in reality, a gap (clearance) must be provided between the opening of the housing case and the connector in consideration of various manufacturing errors. . For this reason, an illegal act may be performed such as inserting a wire or the like from this gap and touching the substrate circuit or electronic component to change the operation of the substrate circuit to obtain a prize.

  An object of the present invention is to provide a wiring connection structure for a control board assembly that is effective in preventing the above-mentioned unauthorized access.

In order to achieve the above object, the invention according to claim 1 is a control board assembly in which a control circuit board equipped with required electronic components and board connectors is built in a housing case.
Through a connector insertion opening formed in the housing case, comprising a wiring connector provided with a wiring cable fitted and connected to the board connector,
The wiring connector encloses a bowl-shaped connector cover that is joined so as to surround the periphery, and in the state where the wiring connector is fitted and connected to the board connector, the diameter of the connector cover is increased. The end portion is in contact with the outer surface of the housing case in a state of surrounding the opening formed in the housing case, and the opening formed in the housing case is not exposed to the outside of the connector cover.

  Invention of Claim 2 is invention of Claim 1, Comprising: The said connector cover is provided with a latching means in the periphery of the said enlarged diameter end part used as the open end, A wiring connector is the said board | substrate. When engaging and connecting to the connector, the locking means is configured to fit into a gap formed between the opening formed in the housing case and the periphery of the board connector to prevent the connector case from coming off. It is characterized by.

  Invention of Claim 3 is invention of Claim 2, Comprising: The said connector cover is further provided with the protrusion formed so that it might contact | abut to the said board | substrate connector in the inner upper part of the said latching means, When the wiring connector is fitted and connected to the board connector, the protrusion and the locking means function integrally so that the locked state cannot be released from the outside.

The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein the connector cover is provided with locking means protruding from the enlarged diameter end portion on the outer surface thereof, and the wiring connector is attached to the board connector. 6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein when the fitting connection is made, the locking means is locked in a fitting hole formed in the board housing case, and the connector case is prevented from coming off. The invention according to claim 4 is the invention according to claim 4, wherein the locking means is a protrusion, and once the protrusion is locked in the fitting hole, the locked state cannot be released from the outside. It is characterized by comprising.

  According to the wiring connection structure of the present invention, common to the inventions of the first to fifth aspects, the gap between the connector insertion opening and the connector of the board housing case is not exposed to the outside, and the circuit board is exposed. Has the effect of preventing unauthorized access. In addition to the above effects, the present invention also has the following effects.

  According to the wiring connection structure described in claims 2 and 4, by providing the locking means for locking the wiring connection structure to the board housing case, it is possible to prevent connector disconnection due to accidental wiring cable pulling or the like. , Increase safety.

  According to the wiring connection structure according to claims 3 and 5, the locking means has a function of not being able to release the locked state from the outside, so that a driver or the like is provided between the wiring connection structure (connector cover) and the housing case. Further, it is possible to increase the safety against the illegal act of opening, and once the connector is attached, the wiring connector cannot be removed without breaking the locking means or opening the housing case, thereby further improving the safety.

  Hereinafter, a case where the control board assembly wiring connection structure according to the present invention is applied to a slot machine (pachislot machine) will be described as an example with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1A is an external perspective view of a typical example of the slot machine. As is well known, a slot machine indicated by reference numeral SM has a front door FD attached to the front surface of a housing MB, which is a substantially rectangular box, so that it can be opened and closed laterally.

    The front panel FP constituting the front door FD is provided with a display window FW for viewing the symbols of the three cylindrical rotary reels R1, R2, and R3 provided in the casing, and a start lever SL, stop buttons SB1, SB2, and SB3, a medal slot MD, a medal payout opening MEX, a medal tray unit TU, and the like are provided.

  FIG. 1B shows the inside of the housing MB in the front right half with the front door FD opened to the left, and the back half of the front panel FP of the front door FD in the left half. ing.

  In the right half of the housing MB, there is provided a main control board assembly MBA that accommodates a main control circuit board to be connected to the present invention at the upper position, and three cylindrical rotating reels. R1, R2, R3, a power supply unit PWU, a hopper device HPU for storing and discharging medals, and the like are arranged.

  Further, on the back surface of the front door front panel FP in the left half, a sub control circuit board SBA is provided, and speakers SPL, SPR, SPB, a display window FW, a medal sorting device MSU, and the like are arranged. Although not shown here, a cable having a wiring connection structure according to the present invention is also provided to electrically connect the main control board assembly MBA and other devices.

  In the foregoing, the mounting structure of the slot machine equipped with the wiring connection structure for the main control board assembly according to the present invention has been briefly described. Next, the main control board that is the connection target of the wiring connection structure according to the present invention. The assembly MBA will be described.

  2 shows an external perspective view of the main control board assembly MBA, and FIG. 3 shows an exploded perspective view of the main control board assembly MBA. As is apparent from FIGS. 2 and 3, the main control board assembly MBA is composed of a main control circuit board 100 and a pair of board housing cases BC in which the main control circuit board 100 is built.

  The main control circuit board 100 is a circuit board that controls the operation of the slot machine. As shown in FIG. 3, a memory element such as a microprocessor (MPU), ROM, and RAM, and electronic parts such as a board connector CN are mounted. ing.

  The substrate housing case BC is composed of a main body case 200 and an upper lid case 300 which are joined to each other in “monaca matching”, and these cases are usually formed from a transparent hard resin material. The reason for making it transparent here is to make it easier to find traces of unauthorized intrusion into the containment case, and the use of hard resin is to combat fraudulent acts such as destruction and prying through gaps. .

  The main body case 200 is provided with a plurality of hinge shaft portions 201 at the upper periphery and a plurality of locking arms 202 at the lower periphery. Also on the upper lid case 300 side, a plurality of hinge bearing portions 301 are provided at the upper peripheral edge and a plurality of locking protrusions 302 are provided at the lower peripheral edge corresponding to the above-described hinge shaft portion 201 and the locking arm 202. Yes.

  Then, in a state where the three pairs of hinge shaft portions 201 and the hinge bearing portion 301 are coupled, the upper lid case 300 is rotated so that the upper lid case 300 is joined to the main body case 200 side using this as a fulcrum. And the main body case 200 are joined in “monaca alignment”, and the locking arm 202 and the locking projections 302 provided in both cases are locked to each other so that the main control circuit board 100 is connected to the main body case 200 and the upper lid. A built-in configuration is sandwiched between the case 300 and the case 300.

  According to such a built-in configuration, the main control circuit board 100 is covered with the main body case 200 and the upper cover case 300 and is not exposed to the outside, so that unauthorized access to the main control circuit board 100 itself is not performed.

  Further, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, as a measure against fraud that prevents unauthorized opening of the housing case of the substrate, the case is joined between the main body case 200 and the upper cover case 300 across both cases. A first sealing mechanism 210 and a second sealing mechanism 310 that are sometimes combined and operated together are provided.

  Since these sealing mechanisms 210 and 310 are known technical matters disclosed in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-209238) cited in the above-mentioned “Background Art”, detailed description thereof is omitted here. However, once the sealing members arranged across the main body case 200 and the upper lid both cases 300 are joined together, the sealing mechanism has a structure that cannot be separated unless the sealing member is broken with a nipper or the like. Thus, unauthorized access to the main control circuit board 100 is prevented by such a structure.

  In the embodiment of FIG. 3, four pairs of first sealing mechanisms 210 and 310 are provided at the lower peripheral edge of the substrate housing case, and four pairs of second sealing mechanisms 320 are provided in the right region of the substrate housing case. Although only the first sealing mechanisms 210 and 310 are used to seal the substrate housing case, the second sealing mechanism 320 seals the main control board assembly MBA in the housing. Used to stop.

  The sealing operation by the above-described sealing mechanisms 210 and 310 uses only one pair of sealing mechanisms among the four pairs, and the main body is formed by breaking and cutting the sealing member with a nipper or the like at the time of inspection or maintenance. When the case 200 and the upper lid case 300 are opened, the sealing operation is performed using the remaining unused sealing member at the time of the next sealing. In order to make it easier, a seal seal may be applied across the main body case 200 and the upper lid case 300.

  The control board assembly MBA of such an embodiment can prevent an illegal act on the control circuit board itself, and can easily access the circuit board by separating the pair of board housing cases at the time of regular inspection or maintenance work. In other words, various ideas have been made to satisfy the conflicting requirements.

  However, since the board connector CN provided on the main control circuit board 100 is connected to the external devices by wiring, the opening 350 formed in the upper lid case 300 as shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B. Is partially exposed outside the case. In the case of such an exposed configuration, a gap is generated between the opening 350 of the upper lid case and the board connector CN inserted therethrough.

  Even if it is intended to eliminate this gap, in reality, it is a gap necessary for smoothly opening and closing the substrate housing case, and there are also errors due to manufacturing. It is inevitable that a peripheral gap is generated), and this gap causes an unauthorized access action to the main control circuit board 100.

  The present invention is designed to prevent unauthorized access to the main control circuit board 100 through the above-described connector peripheral gap. Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. explain.

  FIG. 5 shows the first embodiment, FIG. 5 (a) is an exploded perspective view showing the configuration of the wiring connection structure according to this embodiment, and FIG. 5 (b) shows the wiring connection structure as a control board assembly. It is sectional drawing in the state connected by fitting to the board | substrate connector CN of MBA.

  As shown in FIG. 5A, the wiring connection structure 400 of this embodiment includes a pair of half connector cover pieces that surround the periphery of the wiring connector 420 in addition to the wiring cable 410 and the wiring connector 420. Reference numeral 510 denotes a wiring connector cover 500 joined in a bowl shape.

  In a state where the wiring connector 420 is fitted and connected to the board connector CN, the enlarged diameter end portion 513 which is the open end of the wiring connector cover 500 is in contact with the upper surface of the upper lid case 300. The enlarged diameter end portion 513 of the connector cover surrounds the opening 350 formed in the upper lid case 300, and the above-mentioned connector peripheral gap (the gap generated between the upper lid case opening 350 and the board connector CN periphery). Is configured so as not to be exposed to the outside of the wiring connector cover 500.

  When the wiring connector cover 500 in which the pair of half connector cover pieces 510 are connected in a bowl shape is formed of an elastic material, the enlarged diameter end portion 513 is in contact with the upper surface of the upper lid case 300. The enlarged diameter portion 512 is bent and the enlarged diameter end portion 513 is in close contact with the upper surface of the upper lid case.

  The wiring connector cover 500 has a small-diameter portion 514 bonded and fixed to the peripheral portion of the wiring connector 420 using an adhesive or a set screw. A convex portion 511 that protrudes toward the board is formed, and by using this convex portion 511, the wiring connector 420 is removed from the board connector CN, thereby facilitating the removal operation of the wiring connector 420.

  Here, an example in which the wiring connector cover 500 is composed of a pair of half connector cover pieces 510 has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pair of half connector cover pieces 510 are integrally formed from the beginning. It does not matter. Further, the joining of the wiring connector cover 500 and the wiring connector 420 is not limited to the above-described adhesive or screwing, and any joining method may be used.

  FIGS. 6A and 6B show a second embodiment. In this embodiment, a part of the configuration of the wiring connector cover 500 is changed in comparison with the first embodiment of the previous example, and as shown in FIGS. The protruding portion 520 is formed on the inner side of the wiring connector cover 500 so as to protrude from the enlarged diameter end portion 513.

  The wiring connector cover 500 functions in the same manner as in the first embodiment, and is in close contact with the upper lid case 300 so as not to expose the connector peripheral gap to the outside, thereby preventing unauthorized entry.

  When the wiring connector 420 is fitted and connected to the board connector CN, the locking protrusion 520 is inserted through the connector peripheral gap and locked to the edge of the opening 350.

  The locking projection 520 has an effect of preventing the wiring connector 420 from being pulled out by unintentional pulling such as accidentally hooking the cable.

  In order to remove the wiring connection structure 400 (wiring connector 420), the both sides of the wiring connector cover 500 are pinched with fingers, and force is applied to the inside to deform the wiring connector cover 500 to the inside. The stop protrusion 520 can also move inward and can be unlocked from the upper lid case 300.

  FIGS. 7A and 7B show a modification of the second embodiment. In contrast to the second embodiment, this modification has a protrusion 530 projecting on the inner upper portion of the locking projection 520 of the wiring connector cover 500 as shown in FIGS. 7 (a) and 7 (b). It is characterized in that it is added.

  Since this protrusion 530 exists, for example, even if both sides of the wiring connector cover 500 are pinched with a finger and force is applied to the inside, the protrusion 530 prevents the locking protrusion 520 from moving inward. The locked state with the upper lid case 300 of 520 is not released. That is, the projection 530 and the locking projection 520 are integrated to realize a so-called “fitting kill” function that cannot be released from the locked state from the outside.

  With the above structure, when the wiring connection structure 400 (or the wiring connector 420) is once fitted and connected to the board connector CN, the wiring connection structure 400 is locked to the upper lid case 300, and is locked to release this locked state. Since the protrusions 520 and the like are destroyed or the upper cover case 300 is opened and the locking protrusions 520 must be operated from the inside, an effect of preventing unauthorized removal of the wiring cable is added. Moreover, it becomes more difficult to pry between the upper cover case 300 and the wiring connector cover 500 by this “fitting kill” effect and the upper cover case 300 locking of the locking projection 520.

  Next, a third embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. 8A is an exploded perspective view of the wiring connection structure 400 according to the present embodiment, and FIG. 8B is a state in which the wiring connection structure 400 (or the wiring connector 420) is attached to the board connector CN. FIG.

  In this embodiment, the protrusion 540 is integrally provided outside the wiring connector cover 500, and the fitting hole 370 is provided in the upper lid case 300 so as to be engaged with the protrusion 540. Other points are the same as in the first embodiment.

  As shown in FIG. 8, the protrusion 540 has a structure in which a pair of locking protrusions are arranged so as to face each other, and once fitted into the fitting hole 370, the state cannot be released from the outside. It has a so-called “fitting kill” function. Thus, when the wiring connection structure 400 is attached to the board connector CN, the protrusion 540 is fitted into the fitting hole 370, and the wiring connection structure 400 is locked to the upper lid case 300, and from the outside, The locked state cannot be released.

  With the above structure, in addition to the effect of not exposing the connector peripheral gap to the outside, the present embodiment has a projection 540 for releasing the locked state once the wiring connection structure 400 is fitted (connected) to the board connector CN. Or the upper cover case 300 must be opened and the protrusion 540 must be operated from the inside, so that an effect of preventing unauthorized removal of the wiring cable is added.

  Here, the case where the wiring connector cover 500 does not have the locking projection 520 is shown. In this case, even when the gap around the connector is narrow and the locking projection 520 cannot be inserted, the so-called “fitting-off” effect can be surely exhibited. Of course, the wiring connector cover 500 may include the locking projection 520. In this case, it has the same characteristics as the modification of the second embodiment in which it is more difficult to pry between the upper lid case 300 and the wiring connector cover 500.

  The wiring connection structure according to the present invention has been described as the first to third embodiments. In addition to the basic effect of preventing fraud by preventing the gap around the board connector CN from being exposed to the outside, the present wiring connection structure further provides a wiring connection structure by unintentional pulling of the wiring connection structure cable. There is an effect that the connector can be prevented from being pulled out, and in the modified example of the second embodiment and the third embodiment, the unauthorized connection and disconnection of the wiring connection structure cannot be performed unless it is broken or the like, so that a higher security effect can be expected.

  Here, an example in which the wiring connection structure is applied to a slot machine (pachislot machine) to prevent fraud has been described, but of course the application of the present invention is not limited to this, and fraud prevention such as pachinko machines can be prevented. It can be applied to a wide range of required gaming machines. Further, the structure of the board assembly is not limited to the structure described here, and can be applied to a wide range of structures as long as the gap for inserting the connector is not exposed to the outside in order to prevent fraud.

(A) The external appearance perspective view of the slot machine which concerns on this invention. (B) The front view inside in the state which opened the front door of the slot machine which concerns on this invention. 1 is an external perspective view of a main control board assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a main control board assembly according to an embodiment of the present invention. The external view and sectional drawing of the board | substrate connector and the opening vicinity vicinity of a board | substrate storage case. The disassembled perspective view of the wiring connector cover by 1st Embodiment which concerns on this invention, and sectional drawing in a connector mounting state. The disassembled perspective view of the wiring connector cover by 2nd Embodiment which concerns on this invention, and its sectional drawing. The disassembled perspective view and sectional drawing of the wiring connector cover by the modification of 2nd Embodiment. The disassembled perspective view and its sectional drawing of the wiring connector cover by the 3rd Embodiment concerning this invention.

Explanation of symbols

SM ... slot machine,
FP ... front panel, MB ... housing,
R1, R2, R3 ... rotating reel, FW ... display window,
SL ... Start lever, SB1, SB2, SB3 ... Stop button,
MD: medal slot, MEX: medal payout slot,
TU ... Medal tray unit,
MBA: Main control board assembly, PWU: Power supply unit,
HPU ... Hopper device, SBA ... Sub control circuit board,
SPL, SPR, SPB ... speaker, MSU ... medal sorting device,
BC: Substrate housing case,
CN: Board connector,
100 ... main control circuit board,
200 ... body case,
201 ... engagement structure of main body case (hinge bearing),
300 ... upper lid case,
301... Upper cover case engagement structure (hinge shaft),
350 ... Opening of upper lid case (opening for board connector insertion),
370 ... fitting hole in the upper lid case,
400: Wiring connection structure,
410 ... wiring cable,
420 ... wiring connector,
500 ... Wiring connector cover,
510: Wiring connector cover piece,
511 ... Detachment convex part,
512 ... Wiring connector cover enlarged diameter part,
513 ... Wiring connector cover enlarged diameter end,
520 ... locking protrusion,
530 ... projections,
540 ... Projection

Claims (5)

In a control board assembly in which a control circuit board equipped with required electronic components and board connectors is built in a housing case,
Through a connector insertion opening formed in the housing case, comprising a wiring connector provided with a wiring cable fitted and connected to the board connector,
The wiring connector encloses a bowl-shaped connector cover that is joined so as to surround the periphery, and in the state where the wiring connector is fitted and connected to the board connector, the diameter of the connector cover is increased. A control board assembly characterized in that an end portion is in contact with an outer surface of the housing case in a state of surrounding the opening formed in the housing case, and the opening formed in the housing case is not exposed to the outside of the connector cover. Wiring connection structure.   The connector cover is provided with a locking means at the periphery of the enlarged diameter end portion serving as an open end thereof, and when the wiring connector is fitted and connected to the board connector, the locking means has an opening formed in the housing case. The wiring connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the connector case is configured to be fitted in a gap generated between the portion and the periphery of the board connector so as to prevent the connector case from coming off.   The connector cover further includes a protrusion formed on the inner upper portion of the locking means so as to contact the board connector, and when the wiring connector is fitted and connected to the board connector, the protrusion and the locking 3. The wiring connection structure according to claim 2, wherein the means functions integrally so that the locked state cannot be released from the outside.   The connector cover is provided with locking means protruding from the enlarged diameter end on the outer surface thereof, and when the wiring connector is fitted and connected to the board connector, the locking means is formed in the board housing case. The wiring connection structure according to claim 1, wherein the wiring connection structure is configured so that the connector case is prevented from coming off by being locked in the fitting hole. The said latching means is a projection part, and once this latching part latches to the said fitting hole, it is comprised so that a latching state cannot be cancelled | released from the outside. Wiring connection structure.

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