JP2012000181A - Game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a game machine that includes a stepping motor capable of performing drive normally even at a low-speed region, improves a technique for performing constant current control of the stepping motor for utilization for inspecting a game gimmick, easily and reliably inspects whether the game gimmick operates normally or normal operation of the game gimmick continues for long time, and hence improves reliability in the inspection of the generator.SOLUTION: A motor drive circuit 43 includes a current value-switching circuit 45 for alternatively switching a normal current value when normally driving a movable gimmick as a current value of a drive current for driving the stepping motor 42, and a current value for inspection, which is a current value for inspection when driving the game gimmick for inspection and is higher than the normal current value by a prescribed ratio. A control means 29 allows the motor drive circuit 43 to drive the stepping motor 42 in a one-two phase excitation system at least at a prescribed low-speed region, controls the current value-switching circuit 45, and sets a current value for inspection when driving the game gimmick in an inspection stage.

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine, and in particular, a stepping motor that drives a gaming object is controlled at a constant current by a 1-2 phase excitation method, and a driving current supplied to the stepping motor at an inspection stage and during actual operation of the gaming object. The current values are made different.

  2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, in gaming machines, a technology (for example, refer to Patent Documents 1 to 3) in which a driving roller on which a display belt for displaying a pattern variation is hung is rotated by a stepping motor and the stepping motor is controlled at a constant current is known. .

  In Patent Document 2, FIG. 7 shows a current waveform when the reference voltage is high and a current waveform when the reference voltage is low. The constant current control of the stepping motor has a reference voltage setting means such as a D / A converter for setting a reference voltage preset by a digital control signal from a microcomputer or the like as necessary. Thus, the drive current (reference voltage) is increased during high-speed rotation that requires high torque, and the drive current is decreased during low-speed rotation that does not require high torque.

  In the constant current control of the stepping motor of Patent Document 3, the motor current value is changed by changing the duty ratio of the PWM waveform of the power supply voltage supplied to the stepping motor, and the motor current value becomes high at high speed rotation and low at low speed rotation. Like that. Also, assuming that the power supply voltage fluctuates, compare the reference voltage and the power supply voltage, and when the power supply voltage becomes lower than the reference voltage, the duty ratio is maintained so that the motor current value is kept constant. To decide.

JP 2004-174055 A JP-A-11-262558 Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 10-234953

  Conventionally, when a stepping motor is driven by constant current control by a one-phase excitation method or a two-phase excitation method (especially a two-phase excitation method), there is a problem that a resonance (disturbance) phenomenon inherent to the motor occurs in a predetermined low speed region. . In particular, due to the structure of the accessory device (with increasing size and density), if the reduction gear mechanism is not provided in the drive system of the stepping motor, the game accessory is often driven at a low speed. The problem occurs frequently. Further, the one-phase excitation method and the two-phase excitation method have a problem that the stepping motor (game object) cannot be finely controlled. Therefore, it is conceivable to adopt the 1-2 phase excitation method. In Patent Documents 2 and 3, when the stepping motor rotates at a low speed, the drive current is decreased and the stepping motor is rotated at a low torque.

  In addition, in gaming machines, with the increase in the size of gaming objects, the speeding up of operations, and the complexity of the gaming machines, the gaming objects will operate normally in advance (before shipment of this gaming machine). There is a high need for an accessory inspection to inspect whether normal operation continues for a long period of time, and high reliability of the accessory inspection is required. However, when performing constant current control of the stepping motor that drives the game object, if the object inspection is performed with the current value that operates in the actual game, whether the game object operates normally in the actual game, I am worried that the normal operation of the game object will last for a long time. Patent Documents 1 to 3 do not disclose or suggest such an accessory inspection.

  The object of the present invention is to improve the technology for controlling the constant current of the stepping motor, to drive the stepping motor normally even in a predetermined low speed region (suppressing the resonance phenomenon), and to use it for the inspection of gaming objects. To provide a gaming machine capable of easily and reliably inspecting whether an object normally operates or whether a normal operation of a game object lasts for a long period of time and enhancing the reliability of the object inspection It is.

  A gaming machine (1) according to claim 1 includes a gaming instrument (40), a stepping motor (42) for driving the gaming instrument (40), and a constant current for supplying a driving current to the stepping motor (42). In a gaming machine (1) comprising a controllable motor drive circuit (43, 43A) and control means (29) for inputting a command to drive the stepping motor (42) to the motor drive circuit (43, 43A) The motor drive circuit (43, 43A) converts the current value of the drive current for driving the stepping motor (42) into a first current value and a second current value that is larger than the first current value by a predetermined ratio. A current value switching circuit (45, 45A) for alternatively switching is provided, and the control means (29) sends the stepping motor (42) to the motor drive circuit (43, 43A) at least in a predetermined low speed region. Drive with 1-2 phase excitation method and control the current value switching circuit (45, 45A) to drive As the current value of the current, the first current value is set when the gaming object (40) is driven in the inspection stage, and when the gaming object (40) is driven during actual operation, the 1- The second current value is set during one-phase excitation in the two-phase excitation method, and the first current value is set during two-phase excitation.

  A gaming machine (1) according to claim 2, in the invention according to claim 1, wherein the motor driving circuit (43) includes a driver IC (44) to which a reference voltage defining a current value of the driving current is input, The current value switching circuit (45) selectively switches the voltage value of the reference voltage between a first voltage value corresponding to the first current value and a second voltage value corresponding to the second current value. It is characterized by being configured to be possible.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine (1) according to the first or second aspect, the current value switching circuit (45, 45A) provides a plurality of driving currents respectively supplied to the plurality of phases of the stepping motor (42). It has a plurality of corresponding switch sections (Tr1, Tr2, TrA1, TrA2).

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming machine (1) according to the first aspect of the invention, the current value switching circuit (45A) is configured to set the current value in an energizing portion through which the driving current of the stepping motor (42) flows. A current setting resistor is provided, and the resistance value of the current setting resistor can be switched selectively between a first resistance value corresponding to the first current value and a second resistance value corresponding to the second current value. It is characterized by being composed.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, the motor drive circuit capable of constant current control of the stepping motor has a first current value and a predetermined ratio larger than the first current value as the current value of the drive current for driving the stepping motor. A current value switching circuit for selectively switching to the second current value, and the control means causes the motor driving circuit to drive the stepping motor by the 1-2 phase excitation method at least in a predetermined low speed region; The value switching circuit is controlled to set the first current value as the current value of the drive current when driving the gaming object at the inspection stage, and when driving the gaming object during actual operation, 1-2. The first current value is set during the one-phase excitation of the phase excitation method, and the first current value is set during the two-phase excitation. When the stepping motor is driven by the 1-2 phase excitation method, the resolution is higher and can be controlled more finely than when the stepping motor is driven by the one phase excitation method or the two phase excitation method. The resonance (disturbance) phenomenon in the low speed region can be suppressed. When driving the game object during actual operation, the second current value is set during the one-phase excitation of the 1-2 phase excitation method, so that the rotational torque can be made uniform and the resonance in a predetermined low speed region is achieved. It can be expected to suppress the (disturbance) phenomenon more reliably.

  In addition, in advance (before shipment of this gaming machine), the stepping motor is set to only a first current value lower than the second current value that can be switched during actual operation, and constant current control is performed to inspect the gaming object. It can be operated. In other words, the technology for constant current control of the stepping motor has been improved so that the stepping motor can be driven normally (suppressing the resonance phenomenon) even in a predetermined low speed region, and it can be used for the inspection of gaming objects, for example, an actual game Assuming that the motor power supply voltage that drives the stepping motor drops for some reason, it is easy to determine whether the game object will operate normally or whether the normal operation of the game object will last for a long time It is possible to reliably inspect (load test) and increase the reliability of the inspection of the object.

1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to Embodiment 1. FIG. It is a front view of a game board. It is a block diagram of the control system of a pachinko gaming machine. It is a block diagram of a movable accessory apparatus. It is a circuit diagram of the motor drive circuit of a movable accessory apparatus. It is a circuit diagram in driver IC of a motor drive circuit. It is a figure which shows the relationship between the reference voltage according to the state of a transistor, and a drive current. It is a time chart of the modified half step mode of the 1-2 phase excitation system. It is a time chart of the half step mode of a 1-2 phase excitation system. It is a flowchart of an accessory control process. 9 is a flowchart corresponding to FIG. 8 in the second embodiment. FIG. 6 is a diagram corresponding to FIG.

  The present invention relates to a game object, a stepping motor for driving the game object, a motor drive circuit capable of constant current control for supplying a drive current to the stepping motor, and a command for causing the motor drive circuit to drive the stepping motor. It is applied to a pachinko gaming machine provided with a control means for inputting. Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention will be described based on examples.

  As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, in the pachinko gaming machine 1, an open / close frame 2 is detachably attached to an outer frame attached to the game hall, and an open / close door 3 is detachably attached to the open / close frame 2. . A game board 4 is mounted on the open / close frame 2, and a game area 4 a is formed on the front side of the game board 4. A window 3a is formed in the opening / closing door 3, and a transparent plate 3b is attached to the window 3a, and the front side of the game area 4a is covered by the transparent plate 3b.

  The open / close door 3 is provided with a storage tray 5 for storing game balls below the window 3 a, and the effect button device 6 is attached to the storage tray 5. The opening / closing door 3 is provided with a launch handle 7 on the lower right side of the storage tray 5, and when the launch handle 7 is rotated, the game ball introduced from the storage tray 5 to the launch position is launched. When there are a plurality of game balls in the storage tray 5, the plurality of game balls are continuously fired at intervals of about 0.6 seconds. The launched game ball is guided by the guide rail 8 and is thrown into the upper part of the game area 4a.

  As shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the game board 4 includes a plurality of obstacle nails (not shown), a first start port 10, a second start port device 11, a gate 12, a grand prize port device 13, a plurality of The general winning opening 14, the center accessory 15, the image display 16, the movable accessory device 17, and the game display board 19 are mounted in the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, and the game control device 20 is mounted on the back side of the game board 4. ing.

  The first start opening 10 is provided with a first start opening switch 10a for detecting a winning game ball, the gate 12 is provided with a gate SW 12a for detecting a passed game ball, and each general winning opening 14 is won. A general winning opening switch 14a for detecting a game ball is attached. “SW” means a switch.

  The second starter device 11 includes a second starter 11a, an opening / closing member 11b for opening / closing the second starter 11a, a second starter SW11c for detecting a game ball won in the second starter 11a, and an opening / closing member 11b. It has the 2nd starting port SOL11d to drive. “SOL” means a solenoid actuator. The opening / closing member 11b makes it impossible to win a game ball to the second start port 11a in the closed position, and allows the game ball to win the second start port 11a in the open position.

  The big prize opening device 13 includes a big prize opening 13a, an opening / closing member 13b for opening / closing the big prize opening 13a, a big winning opening SW13c for detecting a game ball won in the big prize opening 13a, and a big winning opening for opening / closing the opening / closing member 13b. It has SOL13d. The opening / closing member 13b makes it impossible to win a game ball to the big prize opening 13a in the closed position, and enables winning of the game ball to the big prize opening 13a in the open position.

  The center accessory 15 is provided in a size that occupies more than half of the game area 4a from the upper part to the center part of the game board 4 so as to protrude forward from the front surface of the game board 4. The image display 16 and the movable accessory device 17 are attached to the camera.

  The game display board 19 includes a first special symbol indicator 19a, a second special symbol indicator 19b, a normal symbol indicator 19c, a first special symbol hold lamp 19d, a second special symbol hold lamp 19e, and a normal symbol hold lamp 19f. I have.

  On the first special symbol display 19a, the first special symbol is stopped and displayed after the symbol changes based on the winning of the game ball to the first starting port 10, and on the second special symbol indicator 19b, the second starting port is displayed. Based on the winning of the game ball to 11a, the second special symbol is stopped and displayed after the symbol changes. When a big hit symbol is stopped and displayed on the first or second special symbol indicator 19a or 19b, a big hit gaming state occurs, and the big prize opening device 13 opens / closes the opening / closing member 13b, which is normally large in blocking. The winning opening 13a is opened and closed over a plurality of rounds.

  On the normal symbol display 19c, the normal symbol is stopped and displayed after the symbol changes based on the winning (passing) of the game ball to the gate 12. When the symbol is stopped and displayed on the normal symbol display 19c, an auxiliary game occurs, and the second starter device 11 opens and closes the opening and closing member 11b, and the normally closed second starter port 11a is set to 1 or Open and close multiple times.

  The first special symbol holding lamp 19d displays a maximum of four so-called first holding numbers of game balls won in the first starting port 10, and the second special symbol holding lamp 19e displays the second starting port 11a. The so-called second reserved number of the winning game balls is displayed at a maximum of four, and the normal symbol holding lamp 19f displays a maximum of four so-called general figure holding numbers of the winning game balls on the gate 12.

  By turning the launch handle 7, the game ball launched into the upper part of the game area 4a hits a plurality of obstacle nails and falls while changing direction, and any one of the winning holes 10, 11a, 13a, 14 When a prize is won, the game area 4a is discharged out of the game area 4a, and when it is not won in any of the winning openings 10, 11a, 13a, 14, it is finally formed at the lower end of the game area 4a. It is discharged out of the game area 4a from the out port 9.

  As shown in FIG. 3, the game control device 20 includes a main control device 21 that controls main game control, and a sub control device 25 that receives various commands from the main control device 21 and controls production control. The main controller 21 includes a game control board 22 that includes a CPU, a ROM, a RAM, and a hard random number generation circuit. The game control board 22 is connected to the board external information terminal board 23.

  The sub-control device 25 includes a payout control board 26, an effect control board 27, an image control board 28, and a lamp control board 29 each including a CPU, a ROM, and a RAM. The effect control board 27 further includes an RTC. The payout control board 26 is connected to the frame external information terminal board 24. “RTC” means a real-time clock.

  The game control board 22 receives the ball detection signal from the first and second start openings SW10a and 11c, the gate SW12a, the big prize opening SW13c, the general prize opening SW14a and the control information from the payout control board 26, and the second Control the start opening SOL11d, the big winning opening SOL13d, the symbol displays 19a to 19c, the symbol holding lamps 19d to 19f, control information (game information) to the payout control board 26, the effect control board 27 and the board external information terminal board 23 Is output.

  The payout control board 26 receives the control information from the game control board 22 and the ball detection signals from the payout ball detection SW31, the ball presence detection SW32, and the full tank detection SW33, and controls the payout motor 30, With respect to one winning game ball to 11a, 13a, 14, the number of game balls set for each winning slot 10, 11a, 13a, 14 is paid out to the storage tray 5, and the game control board 22 and external information terminal for frame Control information (payout information) is output to the substrate 24.

  The effect control board 27 receives the control information from the game control board 22 and the button operation signal from the effect button device 6, outputs the control information to the image control board 28, and further receives the control information from the image control board 28. In response, control information is output to the lamp control board 29. The image control board 28 receives control information from the effect control board 27, controls the image display 16 and the speaker 34, and outputs control information to the effect control board 27. The lamp control board 29 receives the control information from the effect control board 27 and controls the frame lamp 35, the panel lamp 36 and the movable accessory device 17 mainly in synchronization with the control by the image control board 28.

The movable accessory device 17 will be described.
As shown in FIGS. 4 to 6, the movable accessory device 17 drives the movable accessory 40 (game accessory 40), an origin SW 41 for detecting the origin position of the movable accessory 40, and the movable accessory 40. A stepping motor 42 and a motor driving circuit 43 capable of constant current control for supplying a driving current I to the stepping motor 42 are provided, and the lamp control board 29 (sub-control device 25) selects the movable accessory 40 in advance or A motor drive command for driving the stepping motor 42 is input to the motor drive circuit 43 so as to operate with the determined operation pattern.

  The movable accessory 40 is for performing a game effect of the pachinko gaming machine 1, and is composed of, for example, a sword or a logo shown in FIG. 2, and moves or rotates in a direction parallel to the board surface of the game board 4. And improve game performance. Then, it is inspected in advance (before shipment of the pachinko gaming machine 1) whether the movable accessory 40 operates normally or whether the normal operation of the movable accessory 40 continues for a long period of time.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the motor drive circuit 43 includes a driver IC 44 and a current value switching circuit 45 and has a circuit configuration shown in the figure. In addition to the motor drive command, a current value switching command is input to the motor drive circuit 43 from the lamp control board 29, a motor power supply voltage (32V) for driving the stepping motor 42, and a drive for driving the stepping motor 42. A reference voltage generation voltage (5 V) for generating a reference voltage E that defines the current value of the current I and a control processing voltage (5 V) are input.

  The stepping motor 42 is a two-phase stepping motor, and the driver IC 44 drives the stepping motor 42 by a 1-2 phase excitation method in which one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation are alternately repeated. This stepping motor 42 has a 1-2 step excitation method, a half step mode (see FIG. 9) corresponding to the low constant current control mode, and a modified half step mode (see FIG. 8) corresponding to the high constant current control mode. It is driven to rotate in any mode.

  The motor drive command, motor power supply voltage (32V), and control processing voltage (5V) are directly input to the driver IC 44, and the current value switching command and the reference voltage generation voltage (5V) are first input to the current value switching circuit 45. The current value switching circuit 45 generates a reference voltage E from the reference voltage generation voltage (5 V) and inputs it to the driver IC 44. The driver IC 44 controls driving of the stepping motor 42 at a specified driving speed based on a motor driving command by using a motor power supply voltage (32V). At this time, the driving current I supplied to the stepping motor 42 is a current defined by the reference voltage E. The stepping motor 42 is controlled at a constant current so as to converge to a value.

  The current value switching circuit 45 has a first current value Ia (Ia = 500 mA) as a current value of the drive current I for driving the stepping motor 42, and a predetermined ratio (about the first current value Ia) than the first current value Ia. 40%), which is alternatively switched to the second current value Ib (Ib = Ia × 1.4 = 700 mA). The first and second current values Ia and Ib need not be limited to this.

  The current value switching circuit 45 sets the voltage value of the reference voltage E to the first voltage value Ea (Ea = 3.4 V) corresponding to the first current value Ia and the second voltage value Eb (corresponding to the second current value Ib). Eb≈4.76V). That is, the current value of the drive current I is switched by switching the voltage value of the reference voltage E.

  The lamp control board 29 causes the motor drive circuit 43 to drive the stepping motor 42 by the 1-2 phase excitation method and controls the current value switching circuit 45 to inspect the movable accessory 40 as the current value of the drive current. When driving in stages, the low current control mode is set to the first current value Ia, and when the movable accessory 40 is driven during actual operation, the second current value is used during one-phase excitation in the 1-2 phase excitation method. There is a high constant current control mode in which Ib is set and the first current value Ia is switched during two-phase excitation.

  Specifically, in the low constant current control mode, the lamp control board 29 inputs a low current value command (H signal) to the two current value switching transistors Tr1 and Tr2 of the current value switching circuit 45 at all times, and the reference voltage The voltage value of E is set to the first voltage value Ea, that is, the current value of the drive current I is set to the first current value Ia. In the high constant current control mode, during two-phase excitation, a low current value command (H signal) is input to the current value switching transistors Tr1 and Tr2, and the voltage value of the reference voltage E is set to the first voltage value Ea, that is, driven. The current value of the current I is set to the first current value Ia. During one-phase excitation, a high current value command (L signal) is input to one of the transistors Tr1 and Tr2 corresponding to the coils 42a and 42b on the drive current supply side, and the voltage value of the reference voltage E is changed to the second voltage value Eb. That is, the current value of the drive current I is set to the second current value Ib. At this time, a low current value command (H signal) is input to the other of the transistors Tr1 and Tr2, and the voltage value of the reference voltage E is set to the first voltage value Ea, that is, the current value of the drive current I is set to the first current. Set to the value Ia.

Next, the driver IC 44 and the current value switching circuit 45 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 6, the main part of the driver IC 44 includes a comparator 50, a flip-flop 51, a logic circuit 52, an H bridge circuit 53, and the like, and has the circuit configuration shown in the figure. The first coil 42a of the stepping motor 42 is connected to the terminals MA1 and MB1, and the second coil 42b of the stepping motor 42 is connected to the terminals MA2 and MB2. The motor power supply voltage (32V) is input from the terminals VM1 and VM2, and the reference voltage E is input from the terminals VR1 and VR2 (reference voltage port). A control processing voltage (5 V) used in the logic circuit 52 is input from the terminal VCC, and a signal having a standard switching frequency is input from the terminal RC.

  A motor drive command is input from the terminals PH1, PH2, DS1, DS2 to the logic circuit 53. Based on the motor drive command, the stepping motor 42 is driven through the logic circuits 52 so as to drive at a specified drive speed. The four transistors of the H-bridge circuit 53 are ON / OFF controlled to switch the current ON / OFF of the coils 42a and 42b of the stepping motor 42 and the current direction when the current is ON.

  As shown in FIG. 5, two energization lines 60 are connected to the terminals C <b> 1 and E <b> 1 and the terminals C <b> 2 and E <b> 2, and the drive current I of the stepping motor 42 flows through the energization lines 60. The two energization lines 60 are provided with two current setting resistors R4 (R4 = 0.68Ω), and the drive current I is obtained by an equation of 0.1 × power supply voltage E ÷ current setting resistor R4. Two reference voltage input lines 61 are connected to the terminals VR 1 and VR 2, and a current value switching circuit 45 is connected to the two reference voltage input lines 61.

Here, the configuration of the current value switching circuit 45 will be described in detail.
As shown in FIG. 5, the current value switching circuit 45 includes a plurality of current value switching transistors Tr <b> 1 and Tr <b> 2 (corresponding to a switch unit) corresponding to a plurality of drive currents respectively supplied to a plurality of phases of the stepping motor 42. The current value switching circuit 45 includes a first switching circuit 55 including a current value switching transistor Tr1 and a second switching circuit 56 including a current value switching transistor Tr2.

  Specifically, each of the first and second switching circuits 55 and 56 includes a voltage line 62 to which a reference voltage generation voltage (5 V) is applied and connected to the reference voltage input line 61, and a voltage division provided in the voltage line 62. A resistor R1 (R1 = 100Ω), a voltage dividing line 63 connected to the reference voltage input line 61 in parallel with the voltage line 62 and having the end grounded, and a voltage dividing resistor R2 (R2) provided in the voltage dividing line 63 = 2kΩ) and a voltage dividing line 64 connected to a line portion between the voltage dividing resistor R1 of the voltage line 62 and the connection portion of the voltage dividing line 63 and having an end grounded, and provided in the voltage dividing line 64 The voltage dividing resistor R3 (R3 = 240Ω) and the current value switching transistors Tr1 and Tr2 are included. The current value switching transistors Tr1 and Tr2 are ON / OFF controlled by the lamp control board 29 receiving a current value switching command via the terminals EX1 and EX2.

  As shown in FIG. 7, when the current value switching transistors Tr1 and Tr2 are ON, the reference voltage generation voltage 5V is divided to 3.4V by the voltage dividing resistors R1, R2, and R3, and this 3.4V is the reference voltage E. To the terminals VR1 and VR2, and the current value of the drive current I becomes about 500 mA of the first current value. When the current value switching transistors Tr1 and Tr2 are OFF, the reference voltage generation voltage 5V is divided to 4.76V by the voltage dividing resistors R1 and R2, and this 4.76V is input to the terminals VR1 and VR2 as the reference voltage E. The current value of the drive current I becomes 700 mA, which is the second current value.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the reference voltage E is input to the comparator 50 from the terminals VR1 and VR2, and the voltage applied to the current setting resistor R4 is input from the terminals C1 and C2. Then, based on the signal received through the comparator 50 and the flip-flop 51, the logic circuit 52 causes the currents ON / OFF of the coils 42a and 42b so that the drive current I converges to the current value defined by the reference voltage E. The transistor of the H bridge circuit 53 is controlled so that OFF is switched every minute time.

Here, the half step mode and the modified half step mode of the 1-2 phase excitation method of the stepping motor 42 will be described in detail.
The modified half step mode (hereinafter, abbreviated as the modified mode) shown in FIG. 8 is compared with the half step mode (hereinafter, abbreviated as the half mode) shown in FIG. In the state where the motor drive current is supplied to only one of the coils 42a and 42b), the supplied motor drive current is set to 140% of the two-phase excitation, thereby increasing the rotational torque at the one-phase excitation to 2 This mode is equal to the rotational torque during phase excitation.

Each control signal shown in the time charts of FIGS. 8 and 9 will be described.
The control signal input to PH1 is a signal for controlling the current direction of the motor drive current to the coil 42a connected between MA1 and MB1 of the driver IC 44 (input to the logic circuit 52 of the driver IC 44). The control signal input to DS1 is a signal for turning off the four transistors of the H-bridge circuit 53 corresponding to the coil 42a and stopping the motor drive current to the coil 42a in the case of “H” level (driver Input to the logic circuit 52 of the IC 44). Regarding the current direction, when a positive control signal is input to PH1, the drive current flows from MA1 to MB1 (from top to bottom in FIG. 6), and when a negative control signal is input, The drive current flows from MB1 to MA1 (from bottom to top in FIG. 6).

  The control signal input to PH2 is a signal for controlling the current direction of the motor drive current to the coil 42b connected between MA2 and MB2 (input to the logic circuit 52 of the driver IC 44). The control signal input to DS2 is a signal for turning off the four transistors of the H-bridge circuit 53 corresponding to the coil 42b and stopping the motor drive current to the coil 42b in the case of the “H” level (driver). Input to the logic circuit 52 of the IC 44). Regarding the current direction, when a positive control signal PH1 is input, the drive current flows from MA2 to MB2 (from bottom to top in FIG. 6), and when a negative control signal is input, The drive current flows from MB2 to MA2 (from top to bottom in FIG. 6).

  The control signal input to EX1 is a signal synchronized with the control signal of DS2, and switches to “L” level when DS2 is “H” level, and “H” when DS2 is “L” level. ”Level (input to the transistor Tr1 of the current value switching circuit 45). The control signal input to EX2 is a signal synchronized with DS1, and switches to "L" level when DS1 is at "H" level, and to "H" level when DS1 is at "L" level. Switching (input to transistor Tr2 of current value switching circuit 45).

Next, the modified mode will be described.
As shown in FIG. 8, in the period (a), in the one-phase excitation state (PH1 “H”, DS1 “H”, PH2 “H”, DS2 “L”) in which only the second coil 45b is excited. The drive current does not flow through the first coil 45a, and the control signal of EX2 switches from “H” to “L” in synchronization with the control signal of DS1, so that the second coil 45b moves in the positive direction. The supplied drive current is switched from the first current value Ia (500 mA) to the second current value Ib (700 mA). In the period (b), DS1 is switched from “H” to “L” to enter a two-phase excitation state in which the first and second coils 45a and 45b are excited. At this time, the drive current having the first current value Ia is supplied to the first coil 45a in the positive direction, and the drive current having the first current value Ia is supplied to the second coil 45b in the positive direction.

  In the period (c), PH2 is switched from “H” to “L”, DS2 is switched from “L” to “H”, the driving current of the second coil 45b is stopped, and the first coil 45a Only one is excited and the one-phase excitation state is obtained. At this time, the control signal of EX1 is switched from “H” to “L” in synchronization with the control signal of DS2, and the drive current supplied in the positive direction of the first coil 45a is changed from the first current value Ia. Switching to the second current value Ib. In the period (d), DS2 is switched from “H” to “L”, and the two-phase excitation state in which the first and second coils 45a and 45b are excited is obtained. At this time, the drive current having the first current value Ia is supplied in the positive direction to the first coil 45a, and the drive current having the first current value Ia is supplied in the negative direction to the second coil 45b.

  In the period (e), PH1 is switched from “H” to “L”, DS1 is switched from “L” to “H”, the drive current of the first coil 45a is stopped, and the second coil 45b is switched. Only one is excited and the one-phase excitation state is obtained. At this time, the control signal of EX2 is switched from “H” to “L” in synchronization with the control signal of DS1, and the drive current supplied in the negative direction of the second coil 45b is changed from the first current value Ia. Switching to the second current value Ib. In the period (f), DS1 is switched from “H” to “L”, and the two-phase excitation state in which the first and second coils 45a and 45b are excited is obtained. At this time, the drive current having the first current value Ia is supplied to the first coil 45a in the negative direction, and the drive current having the second current value Ib is supplied to the second coil 45b in the negative direction.

  In the period (g), PH2 is switched from “L” to “H”, DS2 is switched from “L” to “H”, the driving current of the second coil 45b is stopped, and the first coil 45b is switched. Only one is excited and the one-phase excitation state is obtained. At this time, the control signal of EX1 is switched from “H” to “L” in synchronization with the control signal of DS2, and the drive current supplied in the negative direction of the first coil 45a is changed from the first current value Ia. Switching to the second current value Ib. In the period (h), DS2 is switched from “H” to “L”, and the two-phase excitation state in which the first and second coils 45a and 45b are excited is obtained. At this time, the drive current having the first current value Ia is supplied to the first coil 45a in the negative direction, and the drive current having the second current value Ib is supplied to the second coil 45b in the positive direction.

Next, the half mode will be described.
As shown in FIG. 9, the half mode is substantially the same as the modified mode control signal except that the control signals EX1 and EX2 are always maintained at the “H” level. For this reason, in this half mode, the maximum value of the drive current supplied to the first and second coils 45a and 45b becomes the first current value Ia regardless of one-phase excitation and two-phase excitation.

  Next, the accessory control process executed by the lamp control board 29 will be described based on the flowchart of FIG. The accessory control process program for executing this accessory control process is stored in the ROM of the lamp control board 29.

  As shown in FIG. 10, when this accessory control process is started, it is first determined whether or not an inspection command has been input (S1). This inspection command is input from an external processing device (for example, an inspection device) to the lamp control substrate 29 via the game control board 22 and the effect control board 27 or directly. When inspecting the operation of the movable accessory 40, the inspector connects the external processing device to the external processing device with the game control board 22, the effect control board 27, or directly connected to the lamp control board 29. The inspection command is input to the lamp control board 29 by performing the above operation.

  In the case of S1; No, the contents of the motor drive command and the current value switching command are set to the high constant current control mode (S2). Thereafter, when an accessory operation command is input from the effect control board 27 (S3; Yes), a motor drive command and a current value switching command are input to the motor drive circuit 43, and the stepping motor 42 is rotationally driven in the modified mode. (S4), return. On the other hand, if S1; Yes, the contents of the motor drive command and current value switching command are set to the low constant current control mode (S5), and then the stepping motor is operated in the half mode based on the motor drive command and current value switching command. 42 is driven to rotate (S6) and returns. While the stepping motor 42 is being driven in the half mode, the inspector confirms whether or not the movable accessory 40 is operating normally.

The pachinko gaming machine 1 described above has the following effects.
A motor drive circuit 43 capable of constant current control of the stepping motor 42 has a first current value Ia and a second current larger than the first current value Ia by a predetermined ratio as a current value I of a drive current for driving the stepping motor 42. The lamp control board 29 includes a current value switching circuit 45 for selectively switching to the value Ib. The lamp control board 29 causes the motor driving circuit 43 to drive the stepping motor 42 by the 1-2 phase excitation method and the current value switching circuit. 45, the first current value Ia is set as the current value I of the drive current when the movable accessory 40 is driven at the inspection stage, and 1 when the movable accessory 40 is driven during actual operation. The second current value Ib is set during the one-phase excitation in the -2-phase excitation method, and the first current value Ib is set during the two-phase excitation.

  Therefore, when the stepping motor 42 is driven by the 1-2 phase excitation method, the resolution is higher and can be controlled more finely than when the stepping motor 42 is driven by the one phase excitation method or the two phase excitation method. Resonance (disturbance) phenomenon in a predetermined low speed region of the motor 42 can be suppressed. When the movable accessory 40 is driven during actual operation, the second current value Ib is set during the one-phase excitation of the 1-2 phase excitation method, so that the rotational torque can be made uniform, and a predetermined low speed region can be obtained. It can be expected that the resonance (disturbance) phenomenon in is more reliably suppressed.

  Further, in advance (before shipment of the pachinko gaming machine 1), the stepping motor 42 is set to only the first current value Ia lower than the second current value Ib and constant current control is performed, and the movable accessory 40 is inspected. Therefore, the inspector can determine whether or not the movable accessory 40 is operating normally. That is, the technology for controlling the constant current of the stepping motor 42 is improved, and the stepping motor 42 is normally driven even in a predetermined low speed region (resonance phenomenon is suppressed). Assuming that the motor power supply voltage (32V) for driving the stepping motor 42 is lowered for some reason during the actual game, the movable accessory 40 operates normally or the normal operation of the movable accessory 40 is long. It is possible to easily and reliably inspect whether it lasts over a period of time, and to improve the reliability of the inspection of the object.

  Since the lamp control board 29 has a low constant current control mode for switching to the first current value Ia and a high constant current control mode for switching to the second current value Ib by controlling the current value switching circuit 45, the stepping motor Either the first current value Ia or the second current value Ib can be easily and surely set as the current value of the drive current I for driving 42.

  The motor drive circuit 43 includes a driver IC 44 to which a reference voltage E that defines the current value of the drive current I is input, and the current value switching circuit 45 has a voltage value of the reference voltage E corresponding to the first current value Ia. Since the first voltage value Ea and the second voltage value Eb corresponding to the second current value Ib can be selectively switched, the current value of the drive current I can be reliably determined by switching the voltage value of the reference voltage E. Can be switched to.

  Since the current value switching circuit 45 has a plurality of current value switching transistors (switch units) corresponding to a plurality of drive currents respectively supplied to a plurality of phases of the stepping motor 42, a plurality of the current value switching circuits 45 are also provided for a plurality of stepping motors. By controlling ON / OFF of each current value switching transistor corresponding to the phase, the current values of the plurality of drive currents I can be switched reliably.

  Next, a description will be given of the following embodiment in which the first embodiment is partially changed. In addition, about the substantially same thing as Example 1, the same code | symbol is attached | subjected and description is abbreviate | omitted and the description about the effect similar to Example 1 is also abbreviate | omitted.

  Next, a gaming machine according to the second embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. However, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals, description thereof is omitted, and different configurations are mainly described. FIG. 11 of the present embodiment is the same as that of the first embodiment except that a part of the steps of FIG. 10 of the first embodiment is changed.

  In the gaming object process shown in FIG. 11, S2 of FIG. 10 of the first embodiment is omitted, and S1, S3 to S5 are the same. In the case of S3; Yes, it is determined in S10 whether or not the stepping motor 42 is driven in a predetermined low speed region. The predetermined low speed region is set to, for example, a rotation speed of 50 r / min, but is not limited to this. S10: If Yes, the contents of the motor drive command and current value switching command are set to the high constant current control mode (S11), and the motor drive command and current value switching command are input to the motor drive circuit 43 to enter the modified mode. Then, the stepping motor 42 is driven to rotate (S12), and the process returns. On the other hand, in the case of S10; No, the contents of the motor drive command and current value switching command are set to the low constant current control mode (S13), and the motor drive command and current value switching command are input to the motor drive circuit 43 and half. The stepping motor 42 is rotationally driven in the mode (S14), and the process returns.

  Therefore, the lamp control board 29 causes the motor driving circuit 43 to drive the stepping motor 42 in the modified mode in the 1-2 phase excitation method only in a predetermined low speed region. Since the stepping motor 42 is rotationally driven in the modified mode only in the low speed region where the resonance (disturbance) phenomenon is likely to occur during the actual operation of the movable accessory 40, the consumption of the motor driving current I is compared with the first embodiment. Can be suppressed. Since other operations and effects are the same as those of the first embodiment, description thereof will be omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the motor drive circuit 43A of the third embodiment is obtained by changing the current value switching circuit 45 of the motor drive circuit 43 of the first embodiment. In the motor drive circuit 43A, the voltage dividing line 64, the voltage dividing resistor R3, and the current value switching transistors Tr1 and Tr2 of the current value switching circuit 45 (FIG. 5) of the first embodiment are omitted, and the driver IC 44 is always fixed. A reference voltage E (E = 3.4V) is input. The current value switching circuit 45A of the motor drive circuit 43A does not include the voltage lines 62 and 63 and the voltage dividing resistors R1 and R2.

  The current value switching circuit 45A has a current setting resistor RA for detecting the current value in the energizing portion through which the driving current I of the stepping motor 42 flows, and the resistance value of the current setting resistor RA is set to the first current value Ia. Are selectively switchable between a first resistance value RA1 (RB1 = 0.68Ω) corresponding to the second resistance value RA2 (RB2≈0.49Ω) corresponding to the second current value Ib. That is, the current value of the drive current I is switched by switching the resistance value of the current setting resistor RA.

  The lamp control board 29 controls the current value switching circuit 45A. In the low constant current control mode, the lamp control board 29 inputs a low current value command (L signal) to the current value switching circuit 45A and sets the resistance value of the current setting resistor RA. The first resistance value RA1, that is, the current value of the drive current I is set to the first current value Ia. In the high constant current control mode, a high current value command (H signal) is input to the current value switching circuit 45A. The resistance value of the current setting resistor RA is set to the second resistance value RA2, that is, the current value of the drive current I is set to the second current value Ib.

  The current value switching circuit 45A will be described in detail. The current value switching circuit 45A is provided in the line portion closer to the driver IC 44 than the two energization lines 60, the two current setting resistors R4, and the current setting resistors R4 (R4 = 0.68Ω) of the two energization lines 60. Two second energization lines 65 that are connected and grounded at the ends, and two second current setting resistors R5 (R5 = 1.96Ω) provided in the two second energization lines 65 And two current value switching transistors TrA1, TrA2. The two current value switching transistors TrA1 and TrA2 are ON / OFF controlled by the lamp control board 29 when a current value switching command is input via the terminals EX1 and EX2.

  When the current value switching transistors TrA1 and TrA2 are OFF, the energization line 60 corresponds to the energization unit, the current detection resistor RA is R4 = 0.68Ω, and the current value of the drive current I is 500 mA of the first current value. . When the current value switching transistors TrA1 and TrA2 are ON, the energization line 60 and the second energization line 65 correspond to energization portions, and the current detection resistance RB becomes (R4 × R5) / (R4 + R5) = 0.49Ω, The current value of the drive current I is about 700 mA of the second current value.

  The current value switching circuit 45A has a current setting resistor RA for detecting the current value in the energizing portion through which the drive current I of the stepping motor 43 flows, and the resistance value of the current setting resistor RA is changed to the first current value Ia. Since it can be selectively switched between the corresponding first resistance value RA1 and the second resistance value RA2 corresponding to the second current value Ib, by switching the resistance value of the current setting resistor RA, the drive current I The current value can be switched reliably.

  It should be noted that various changes other than the disclosed items can be added and implemented without departing from the spirit of the present invention. In addition, the present invention may be applied to constant current control of a stepping motor that drives various game objects (for example, a drum or the like), and various games such as slot machines other than pachinko gaming machines. It can be applied to constant current control of a stepping motor used in a machine.

1 Pachinko machine 29 Lamp control board 40 Movable accessory 42 Stepping motors 43, 43A Motor drive circuits 45, 45A Current value switching circuit

Claims (4)

A game object, a stepping motor for driving the game object, a motor drive circuit capable of constant current control for supplying a drive current to the stepping motor, and a control for inputting a command for driving the stepping motor to the motor drive circuit A gaming machine comprising means,
The motor driving circuit selectively switches a current value of a driving current for driving the stepping motor between a first current value and a second current value larger than the first current value by a predetermined ratio. With a switching circuit,
The control means causes the motor drive circuit to drive the stepping motor at least in a predetermined low speed region by a 1-2 phase excitation method, and controls the current value switching circuit to obtain a current value of the drive current as follows: The first current value is set when the gaming object is driven at the inspection stage, and the second current is set during the one-phase excitation of the 1-2 phase excitation method when the gaming object is driven during actual operation. A gaming machine, wherein a current value is set and switching is performed to set the first current value during two-phase excitation. The motor drive circuit includes a driver IC to which a reference voltage that defines a current value of the drive current is input,
The current value switching circuit is configured to selectively switch the voltage value of the reference voltage between a first voltage value corresponding to the first current value and a second voltage value corresponding to the second current value. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein   The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the current value switching circuit includes a plurality of switch units corresponding to a plurality of drive currents respectively supplied to a plurality of phases of the stepping motor.   The current value switching circuit has a current setting resistor for setting the current value in an energization portion through which the drive current of the stepping motor flows, and the resistance value of the current setting resistor is set to a first value corresponding to the first current value. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is configured to be selectively switchable between a first resistance value and a second resistance value corresponding to the second current value.

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