JP2010029515A - Button unit for game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a button unit for a game machine, for which only a broken sensor member can be easily exchanged. <P>SOLUTION: The button unit for the game machine includes: a button part 20 provided with a light transmissive operation surface 22A for receiving a pressurizing operation by a player; a circuit board 30 mounted with a light-emitting member 32 for emitting light toward the operation surface 22A of the button part 20; a sensor member 34 for detecting that the pressurizing operation is performed to the button part 20; and a back surface cover 36 for covering the button part 20 from the opposite side of the operation surface 22A. The sensor member 34 is fixed to the back surface cover 36, at least part of the sensor member 34 is arranged while penetrating the circuit board 30, and the detection part 34C of the sensor member 34 is positioned between the circuit board 30 and the operation surface 22A. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2010,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to a button unit for gaming machines used in gaming machines such as slot machines.

  FIG. 6 is a perspective view (FIG. 2 of Patent Document 1) showing a slot machine 100 which is an example of a conventional slot machine. This slot machine 100 is provided with a stop button unit 104 for stopping the rotation of the reel 102 having a pattern drawn on the outer peripheral surface. In an actual game, whether or not to win is determined by the combination of symbols of the reels 102 that are stopped, and a predetermined number of medals are paid out according to the type of winning.

  FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view showing the structure of the stop button unit 104 of the slot machine 100 (FIG. 4 of Patent Document 1). As shown in FIG. 7, the stop button unit 104 includes three stop buttons. The substantially cylindrical pressing members 110a, 110b, and 110c having operation surfaces 111a, 111b, and 111c that are pressed by the player are provided. In the sliding hole 132 of the casing member 130, the casing member 130 is accommodated so as to be movable in the front-rear direction (direction perpendicular to the operation surfaces 111a, 111b, 111c). The pressing members 110a, 110b, and 110c are always urged forward by the coil springs 150a, 150b, and 150c in the casing member 130. Reference numeral 120 denotes a panel member.

  A circuit board 140 is provided at the rear end of the casing member 130 so as to close the sliding hole 132, and an LED (not shown) is mounted on the front surface of the circuit board 140. Photosensors 141a, 141b, and 141c each having a light emitting element and a light receiving element are provided on the back surface of the circuit board 140.

  The light shielding pieces 114a, 114b, and 114c of the pressing members 110a, 110b, and 110c are inserted through the through holes 142a, 142b, and 142c of the circuit board 140. When the pressing members 110a, 110b, and 110c are pressed, the light shielding pieces 114a, 114b, and 114c block the optical axes of the photosensors 141a, 141b, and 141c (the path of light from the light emitting element to the light receiving element), and the photosensors 141a, 141b, and 141c are connected to the pressing members 110a, 110b, and 110c. In contrast, it is detected that a pressing operation has been performed. When the detection is made, a control unit (not shown) of the main body of the slot machine 100 outputs a signal for stopping the rotation of the reel 102 to stop the rotation of the reel 102.

  On the other hand, since the pressing members 110a, 110b, and 110c of the stop button unit 104 are repeatedly pressed during the game, wear powder is generated due to rubbing of the movable part inside the stop button unit 104. There is a possibility that the photosensors 141a, 141b, and 141c may break down due to the wear powder.

  Further, during cleaning, a neutral detergent or the like may enter from the gap between the casing member 130 and the pressing members 110a, 110b, and 110c, and the beverage is pressed against the casing member 130 by a player's mischief. Intrusion may occur through gaps with the members 110a, 110b, and 110c. As a result, the photosensors 141a, 141b, and 141c may fail.

JP 2005-334359 A (FIGS. 2 and 4)

  However, in the conventional stop button unit, since the photosensor is formed integrally with the circuit board, if any one of the photosensors fails, the entire circuit board on which the photosensor and the LED are mounted must be replaced. There was a problem that had to be done. This problem is common to not only stop button units but also button units for gaming machines in general. Moreover, it is also a problem that occurs when a sensor member other than a photosensor is used.

  The present invention has been made in view of such problems, and an object of the present invention is to provide a button unit for a gaming machine in which only a failed sensor member can be easily replaced.

  A button unit for gaming machine according to the present invention is a circuit board on which a button portion having a light-transmitting operation surface that receives a player's pressing operation and a light emitting member that emits light toward the operation surface of the button portion are mounted. And a back cover that covers the button part and the circuit board from the side opposite to the operation surface, and a sensor member having a detection part that detects that the button part has been pressed. The sensor member is fixed to the back cover, and at least a part of the sensor member is disposed through the circuit board, and the detection portion of the sensor member is the sensor unit. It is located between the circuit board and the operation surface, and solves the above problems.

  According to the present invention, a sensor member that detects that a pressing operation has been performed on the button portion is fixed to the back cover, and at least a part of the sensor member is disposed through the circuit board, Since the detection part of the sensor member is located between the circuit board and the operation surface, only the failed sensor member can be easily replaced.

  Hereinafter, embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an appearance of a stop button unit 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an exploded view thereof. 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the button portion 2 in a state without a pressing operation (a sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1), and FIG. 4A is a transverse sectional view of the button portion 2 in a state without a pressing operation ( FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional view of the button portion 2 in a state where a pressing operation is performed (IV-IV line cross-sectional view of FIG. 1). FIG. 5 is a vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the line V-V in FIG. 1) of the photosensor arrangement portion.

  The stop button unit 10 includes three button portions 20, a button holder 28 that accommodates and holds the three button portions 20, a coil spring 26 that urges the button portion 20 in a direction opposite to the pressing direction, and an LED (light emitting member). 32, a circuit board 30 on which 32 is mounted, a photosensor (sensor member) 34 that detects that a pressing operation has been performed on the button portion 20, and a back cover 36.

  The button part 20 is composed of a disk-like button cap 22 with an edge protruding vertically and a substantially cylindrical button base 24. The button cap 22 is attached to the button base 24 so that the button portion 20 is formed by fitting the vertically projecting edge of the button cap 22 to the outer surface of the front portion of the button base 24. The operation surface 22A on the front surface of the button cap 22 receives a pressing operation by the player.

  The button portion 20 is slidably held in a button housing portion 28A that is a substantially cylindrical through hole formed in the button holder 28. A coil spring 26 that urges the button portion 20 in a direction opposite to the pressing direction is accommodated inside the button base 24, but a locking piece 24 </ b> A formed on the outer peripheral surface of the button base 24 is provided on the button holder 28. The button portion 20A is hooked on a protrusion 28B (see FIG. 3) provided on the inner surface of the button housing portion 28A, whereby the button portion 20 receives the urging force of the coil spring 26 and the button housing portion 28A of the button holder 28. It is designed to be held inside.

  The button cap 22 is formed of a translucent material that can transmit light, and has light transparency. When the button cap 22 is illuminated from the inside by the LED 32, the operation surface 22A of the button cap 22 shines outward. It has become. The entire button cap 22 does not have to be light transmissive, and the operation surface 22A of the button cap 22 only has to be light transmissive.

  The button base 24 has a substantially cylindrical shape and has substantially the same outer diameter. However, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the button base 24 is located slightly forward from the center portion and is located on the rear side (hereinafter referred to as the button cap 22 side direction). ), The inner diameter becomes smaller, and the cylinder becomes thicker at the bottom. A cylindrical groove 24D is provided in the cylindrical bottom portion 24C having the increased thickness. The front side of the coil spring 26 is held in the cylindrical groove 24D, one end of the coil spring 26 abuts on the bottom surface of the groove 24D, and the other end of the coil spring 26 is attached to a bottom plate 28C of the button holder 28 described later. It is in contact. As a result, the coil spring 26 biases the button part 20 in the direction opposite to the pressing direction.

  As shown in FIG. 2, on the outer peripheral surface of the button base 24, the locking pieces 24 </ b> A are provided at two opposing positions, but at a position shifted by 90 ° in the circumferential direction from the position of the locking pieces 24 </ b> A, A light shielding piece 24B is formed. When the button unit 20 is pressed, the light shielding piece 24B blocks the optical axis 34B of the photosensor 34. The photosensor 34 detects that the optical axis 34B is blocked and It is detected that a pressing operation has been performed.

  The button holder 28 includes three button accommodating portions 28A that are substantially cylindrical through holes. An annular plate-shaped bottom plate 28C is integrally formed with the button holder 28 at the bottom of the button accommodating portion 28A. The diameter of the bottom of the button accommodating portion 28A is the inner diameter of the bottom plate 28C and is small. Further, the button holder 28 is integrally provided with a bottom cylinder 28 </ b> D together with the bottom plate 28 </ b> C in which the inner periphery of the annular plate-like bottom plate 28 </ b> C protrudes forward (inside the button housing portion 28 </ b> A).

  The circuit board 30 has a role of holding the LED 32 on the front surface side so as to emit light forward (in the direction toward the button cap 22) and forming a path for supplying power to the LED 32. The circuit board 30 on which the LEDs 32 are mounted is disposed on the rear end face of the button holder 28.

  The LED (light emitting member) 32 is provided on the front surface of the circuit board 30 so as to emit light forward (in the direction toward the button cap 22), and the circuit board 30 is disposed on the rear end surface of the button holder 28. Then, it is housed in the bottom cylinder 28D of the button holder 28.

  The photosensors (sensor members) 34 have a role of detecting that a pressing operation has been applied to the button part 20, and are provided for each of the three button parts 20, for a total of three. ing. The photo sensor 34 is attached to the back cover 36 and is provided independently of the circuit board 30. A hole 30A and a notch 30B are formed in the circuit board 30, and the light emitting element 34A and the light receiving element 34B of the photosensor 34 fixed to the back cover 36 are formed in the hole 30A and the notch in the circuit board 30. It protrudes to the front side of the circuit board 30 through 30B.

  For this reason, even if the photosensor 34 is attached to the back cover 36 instead of the circuit board 30, the optical axis (detection unit) 34C (the light path from the light emitting element 34A to the light receiving element 34B) of the photosensor 34 is the circuit board. 30 is located in the button accommodating portion 28A. That is, the optical axis (detection unit) 34 </ b> C of the photosensor 34 is located between the operation surface of the button cap 22 and the circuit board 30. Therefore, when the light shielding piece 24B of the button base 24 is moved rearward (circuit board 30 side) by the pressing operation of the button part 20, the light shielding piece 24B can cross the optical axis (detection part) 34C of the photosensor 34. Thus, the photo sensor 34 can detect that the button unit 20 has been pressed.

  Since the photo sensor 34 is attached to the back cover 36 and is provided independently of the circuit board 30, even if any of the three photo sensors 34 breaks down, the back cover 36 is removed, Only the failed photosensor 34 can be easily replaced, and there is no need to replace the entire circuit board on which the photosensor and the LED are mounted as in the prior art.

  Here, as another configuration in which only the failed photosensor 34 can be replaced, the photosensor 34 is arranged and fixed in the button housing portion 28A of the button holder 28, and the photosensor 34 is independent from the circuit board 30. The structure to be made can be considered. However, in the case of this configuration, in order to replace the failed photosensor 34, it is necessary to remove the back cover 36 and replace the circuit board 30, and the photosensor is more than the stop button unit 10 according to the present embodiment. It takes time to replace 34. In addition, when the photosensor 34 is arranged and fixed in the button accommodating portion 28A of the button holder 28, the photosensor 34 is arranged in a narrow space, so that it is considered difficult to replace the photosensor 34. It is done.

  It is also conceivable that the light shielding piece 24 </ b> B penetrates the circuit board 30. In the case of this configuration, even if the optical axis 34C of the photosensor 34 is on the back side of the circuit board 30, the light shielding piece 24B blocks the optical axis 34C of the photosensor 34 when the button portion 20 is pressed. be able to. Then, similarly to the stop button unit 10 according to the present embodiment, the photosensor 34 can be attached and fixed to the back cover 36. However, in the case of this configuration, the entire portion of the photosensor 34 is disposed on the back surface of the circuit board 30, which increases the thickness of the stop button unit and is compact like the stop button unit 10 according to the present embodiment. Difficult to shape.

  The back cover 36 has a role of holding the three photosensors 34 on the front side. Moreover, it has a role as a casing which forms the shape of the whole stop button unit 10 with the button holder 28. The back cover 36 is fixed to the button holder 28 with screws (not shown) with the circuit board 30 interposed therebetween.

  The back cover 36 and the button holder 28 have a connector opening which is an opening for taking out the connector housing 34D of the three photosensors 34, and a connector opening which is an opening for taking out the connector housing 30C of the circuit board 30 to the outside. As shown in FIG. 1, the connector housing 34D and the connector housing 30C are exposed to the outside from these connector openings. In addition, behind these connector ports, a locking portion 36A for locking a connector 34E (see FIG. 5) attached to the connector housing 34D of the photosensor 34 and a connector housing 30C of the circuit board 30 are attached. A locking portion 36B for locking a connector (not shown) is provided. The locking portion 36A and the locking portion 36B are provided on the upper surface of the back cover 36.

  Since the locking portions 36A and 36B are provided, in the stop button unit 10 according to the present embodiment, the connector 34E attached to the connector housing 34D of the photosensor 34 and the connector housing 30C of the circuit board 30 are attached. A connector (not shown) is not easily removed, and it is difficult for problems to occur due to the connector being disconnected. In addition, since the connector is not easily removed, fraudulent acts can be prevented.

  Here, there is a type of connector housing with a lock, but since the shape of the connector housing itself becomes large, it is difficult to make it compact like the stop button unit 10 according to the present embodiment.

  Next, the arrangement relationship between the cylindrical bottom 24C of the button base 24 and the bottom cylinder 28D of the button holder 28 will be described.

  The inner surface of the cylindrical bottom portion 24C of the button base 24 having a reduced inner diameter is fitted into the outer surface of the bottom cylinder 28D of the button holder 28 regardless of whether the button portion 20 is subjected to a pressing operation. The cylindrical bottom 24C of the base 24 and the bottom cylinder 28D of the button holder 28 are always overlapped. For this reason, the light emitted from the LED 32 housed in the bottom cylinder 28D of the button holder 28 only travels forward (in the direction toward the button cap 22) and does not leak to the outside of the bottom cylinder 28D. The button cap 22 can be well illuminated from the inside. Further, although the position where the LED 32 is disposed and the position where the photo sensor 34 is disposed are close to each other, the light emitted from the LED 32 does not leak to the outside of the bottom cylinder 28D. The sensor 34 will not malfunction.

  In the stop button unit 10 according to the present embodiment described above, the number of the button units 20 is three. However, the number of the button units 20 is not limited to three, and may be one or two. Moreover, four or more may be sufficient.

The perspective view which shows the external appearance of the stop button unit which concerns on embodiment of this invention Exploded view of the stop button unit Longitudinal sectional view of the button part of the stop button unit in a state without pressing operation (sectional view taken along line III-III in FIG. 1) (A) Cross-sectional view of the button part of the stop button unit in a state without a pressing operation (cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1), (B) Crossing of the button part of the stop button unit in a state with a pressing operation Surface view (sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG. 1) Longitudinal sectional view of the photo sensor arrangement portion of the stop button unit (sectional view taken along line VV in FIG. 1) A perspective view showing an example of a conventional slot machine The disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the stop button unit of an example of the said conventional slot machine

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Stop button unit 20 ... Button part 22 ... Button cap 22A ... Operation surface 24 ... Button base 24A ... Locking piece 24B ... Light-shielding piece 24C ... Cylindrical bottom part 24D ... Groove 26 ... Coil spring 28 ... Button holder 28A ... Button accommodating part 28B ... Projection 28C ... Bottom plate 28D ... Bottom cylinder 30 ... Circuit board 30A ... Hole 30B ... Notch 32 ... LED (light emitting member)
34 ... Photo sensor (sensor member)
34A ... Light emitting element 34B ... Light receiving element 34C ... Optical axis (detection unit)
36 ... Back cover 36A, 36B ... Locking part

Claims (1)

A button portion having a light-transmitting operation surface that receives a player's pressing operation, a circuit board on which a light emitting member that emits light toward the operation surface of the button portion is mounted, and the button portion is pressed. A button unit for a gaming machine comprising: a sensor member having a detection unit for detecting this; and a back cover that covers the button unit and the circuit board from a side opposite to the operation surface;
The sensor member is fixed to the back cover, and at least a part of the sensor member is disposed through the circuit board, and the detection portion of the sensor member includes the circuit board and the operation surface. A button unit for gaming machines, which is located between the two.

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