JP2016214426A - Handle contact detection device of pachinko game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a handle contact detection device preventing electrostatic discharge damage of a sensor and a control circuit by significantly reducing movement of electric charge in the electrostatic discharge, eliminating a player from feeling a pain by receiving electrostatic discharge shock, dispensing with a frame ground, and capable of enhancing detection sensitivity of an electrostatic capacity by a human body.SOLUTION: A detection electrode 36 of a capacitance sensor 30 is disposed inside a handle rotation part 14 in such a manner as to come close to a handle outer surface of a portion with which fingers of a player comes into contact. An insulation material forming part is provided so as to be interposed between the player's fingers coming into contact with the outer surface of the handle rotation part, and the detection electrode. Consequently, the static electricity that the player retains is discharged from a part of the hand via the insulation material forming part to the detection electrode of the capacitance sensor.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  This invention confirms whether or not the player of the pachinko machine is touching the handle for adjusting the firing strength of the pachinko ball by hand to operate the handle, and only when it is confirmed that the pachinko ball is fired. The present invention relates to a handle contact detection device that detects by a capacitance sensor that a player's hand is in contact with the handle in order to output a signal for permitting the control.

  Previously, in pachinko machines, a foreign object such as a coin was inserted between the rotating part and the fixed part of the handle to adjust the firing strength of the pachinko ball, and the launching strength of the pachinko ball is likely to win. Unauthorized acts such as fixing the rotating part of the handle at the position, or performing the same operation with a plurality of pachinko machines, and playing alone with a plurality of pachinko machines alone. However, as such fraud has been subject to regulation, current pachinko machines have been confirmed by confirming that the player operates the steering wheel directly by hand. It has a function to allow the launch of a pachinko ball only in the case of For example, a touch electrode made of a metal press body or a touch electrode in which the entire surface of a plastic molded product is subjected to metal plating is formed on the rotating portion of the handle for adjusting the strength of the pachinko ball firing strength or in the vicinity thereof. When the touch electrode is connected to the touch electrode terminal of the touch sensor circuit part provided inside the fixed part of the handle via a metal spring or lead wire, and the player's hand touches the touch electrode, Touch sensor circuit part provided inside the fixed part of the handle so that the electrostatic capacity of the human body is applied to the touch electrode and whether the value of the electrostatic capacity of the human body applied to the touch electrode is equal to or greater than a predetermined value Is determined, and when it is determined that the capacitance value is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a game permission signal is output, and a pachinko ball can be launched.

With reference to an exploded perspective view shown in FIG. 15, a configuration example of a conventional pachinko ball launch intensity adjusting handle will be described.
The handle 100 includes a handle base portion 102 that is a fixed portion, a handle rotating portion 104 that is a rotating portion, and a cover 106. Then, after attaching the handle rotation unit 104 to the handle base unit 102, the handle 100 is attached to the front side of the handle rotation unit 104 so that the volume 108 can be freely rotated by the handle rotation unit 104. It is assembled and attached to a pachinko machine. The outer surface of the handle rotation unit 104 is metal-plated on the entire surface, which serves as a touch electrode of the touch sensor. The touch electrode is connected to a touch sensor circuit unit 110 provided in the handle base unit 102 by wiring. The handle base unit 102 incorporates a pachinko ball launch stop switch 112 in addition to a pachinko ball launch intensity adjustment volume 108 and a touch sensor circuit unit 110. Then, the connection wirings 114 of the touch sensor circuit unit 110, the pachinko ball launch intensity adjusting volume 108, and the pachinko ball launch stop switch 112 are bound using a binding band 116 so that the lines do not fall apart, and the connector 118 is connected. Are connected to the control board 120 and the FG terminal 122 is connected to the metal part 124 as an alternative to the frame ground line of the pachinko machine.

  By the way, in the pachinko machine, since the pachinko balls pass through the plastic passage with repeated impacts and friction, static electricity with a very high voltage is generated, and the pachinko balls move with the static electricity. In addition, since the player acts by wearing a woolen fabric or synthetic fiber clothing, especially in the cold winter season, high potential static electricity is generated and the human body takes on the static electricity. When these high-potential static electricity is applied to the touch electrode of the handle, not only the electronic components of the touch sensor circuit connected to the touch electrode, but also the function of the game by receiving signals from the touch sensor circuit The electronic components used in the control circuit that controls the firing of the ball are also destroyed instantly by electrostatic charges. In order to prevent such electrostatic breakdown, various electrostatic protection measures have been taken.

  For example, the static electricity applied to the touch electrode is discharged to the power supply 0V line using the discharge gap, and the electrostatic charge is discharged directly from the 0V line or through the capacitor to the frame ground and returned to the ground (for example, Patent Document 1), electrostatic discharge applied to the touch electrode is discharged to the frame ground using a discharge gap through a through hole provided on the substrate and returned to the ground (for example, see Patent Document 2), Static electricity applied to the touch electrode is directly discharged to the frame ground to return the electrostatic charge to the ground (for example, see Patent Document 3), and static electricity applied to the touch electrode is directly discharged to the frame ground. At the same time, discharge the electrostatic charge from the frame ground to the power supply 0V line to discharge the ground (for example, patents) Document 4 reference.), And the like. All of these electrostatic protection measures are based on the premise that the frame ground terminal is in the vicinity of the handle of the pachinko machine, and that the connection from the touch electrode to the frame ground is made by wiring at an extremely short distance. ing.

Japanese Patent No. 4381035 Japanese Patent No. 4737521 JP 2006-203406 A Japanese Patent No. 4836480

  The touch sensor cannot function unless the touch electrode that is a part of the electric circuit is exposed. Since the electric circuit is accompanied by electric wiring, it is close to the ground potential in terms of high frequency via the distributed capacitance of the wiring. Therefore, when static electricity approaches the touch electrode, it is always discharged directly and cannot be avoided. Therefore, as described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 described above, measures such as moving the electrostatic charge applied to the touch electrode to the frame ground and releasing it to the ground to protect the electronic components of the electronic circuit are If there is no ground line, it has no meaning. However, there is a problem in that there are many cases where there are no frame ground lines in stores in old buildings that provide games using pachinko machines.

  Even if there is a frame ground line, if it is not near the touch electrode of the handle, wiring over a long distance is required. When the wiring distance from the touch electrode to the frame ground is increased and the conductor resistance or wiring induction (inductance) due to the wiring is increased, the voltage change rate dV / dT per unit time in discharging electrostatic charges is 30,000 V. The change rate becomes a very large change rate such that the voltage changes to 0 V between 1 nS and 2 nS. In such electrostatic discharge, the high-frequency impedance of the electrical wiring becomes high, and it becomes difficult to discharge electrostatic charges to the ground via the frame ground. For this reason, the electrostatic charge is not completely discharged to the frame ground, and the electrostatic charge that is not discharged to the frame ground is branched via the electric circuit of the power line and signal line closest to the ground potential and discharged to the ground. Will be. As a result, the electrostatic breakdown of the electronic component used for the touch sensor itself and the electronic component used for the control circuit of the pachinko machine increases. Therefore, depending on the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 4, there is a problem that the touch sensor circuit unit and the control circuit of the pachinko machine cannot be protected from static electricity.

The above-described problem will be described in more detail with reference to FIG. 16 showing the entire circuit configuration of a conventional pachinko gaming machine equipped with a handle using a touch sensor. In FIG. 16, for the sake of easy understanding, only the 0V power supply ground is described as an example of the wiring conductor resistance and the wiring inductance.
When a person with high potential static electricity tries to play on a pachinko machine and touches the handle 126 for operating the handle, the static electricity on the human body is the highest in terms of high frequency via the distribution capacity of the electrical wiring. To a touch sensor for detecting a human body attached to the handle 126 having a potential close to. Then, the electrostatic charge is obtained from the capacitance detection circuit 128 of the touch sensor, the control circuit 130 that processes the output signal of the touch sensor, the distributed capacitances C _{W1 to} C _{W3 with} respect to the ground of the electric wiring, and the AC commercial of the power supply circuit 132. The AC commercial power supply 134 is grounded via the coupling capacitor CTR between the primary and secondary transformer 136 winding coils, and static electricity of the human body moves to the ground and is neutralized. Due to the electrostatic discharge at this time, the player receives an electrostatic discharge shock accompanying the movement of the electrostatic charge in his hand and feels a great pain. When this static electricity is discharged, electronic circuits such as the capacitance detection circuit 128 to which touch electrodes to which electrostatic charges are applied are connected and the control circuit 130 for processing the signal are often destroyed by a high voltage due to static electricity. . Therefore, a touch sensor for detecting a human body used for the handle 126 of the pachinko machine generally has an electrostatic voltage of 30,000 V, an electrostatic voltage capacity of 500 PF, and an electrostatic discharge resistance of 0Ω as a condition not to be destroyed by the high electrostatic voltage. In addition, countermeasures for contact discharge resistance specifications are required. However, it is very difficult to deal with only the touch sensor unit, and it does not reach the required specifications. At present, the contact discharge with an electrostatic voltage of 20,000 V, an electrostatic voltage capacity of 500 PF, and a discharge resistance of 0Ω is the minimum condition. Is used that has been designed to withstand.

Here, the principle of a general touch sensor for human body detection will be described with reference to FIG.
In FIG. 16, the capacitance detection circuit 128 always oscillates using an oscillation circuit of several hundred KHz to several MHz, and a touch electrode connection terminal is provided from a part of the oscillation circuit via a polarization preventing capacitor and a resistor. The touch electrode is connected to the terminal from the outside. When the human body touches the touch electrode, the touch electrode → capacitance C _M between the human body and the ground → ground ground → AC power supply earth ground → coupling capacitance CTR between the primary and secondary winding coils of the transformer 136 → transformer 136 2 Next, the capacitance C _G between the GND of the power supply circuit 132 and the GND circuit configuration of the capacitance detection circuit 128, the capacitance C _M between the human body and the ground is the touch electrode T _{1 of the} capacitance detection circuit 128 of the touch sensor. And GS which is 0VGND of the circuit. When the electrostatic capacity is applied between the touch electrodes T ₁ and GS, reduce the selectivity Q of the oscillator circuit constituting the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 128, the circuit constants such that the oscillation gain is reduced set Therefore, the oscillation gain is reduced or the oscillation is stopped and the human body detection signal is output. A touch sensor used in a conventional handle of a pachinko machine outputs a human body detection signal when the input capacity reaches approximately 20 PF to 50 PF.

Touch electrodes T ₁ of the touch sensor as described above, since the high frequency is connected to ground via a wire distributed capacitance and between a transformer winding coil binding capacity and the like, the human body is the pachinko machine charged with static electricity When close the hand wheel 126 trying operation, static electricity is discharged toward the hand of the player's touch electrodes T _1, along with the player receives the pain of the discharge shock, the electrostatic charge from the touch electrodes T ₁ The control circuit 130 is reached via the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 128, and returns to the ground via the distributed capacitance of the electrical wiring and the coupling capacitance CTR between the windings and coils of the transformer 136. When the electrostatic voltage of the human body is low, the amount of electric charge is small and the attenuation occurs via the wiring distribution capacitance, so no problem occurs. However, when the electrostatic voltage increases, various problems occur. In general, the specifications for static electricity required by the market are as follows: electrostatic voltage 30,000 V—capacitance 500 PF—discharge resistance 0Ω. When the static electricity is applied in contact with the touch electrodes T ₁ discharge, electronic components used in the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 128 than the original, all the electronic components such as resistors and capacitors are destroyed in an instant. Therefore, as shown by the symbol G _G in FIG. 16, provided in a pattern a discharge gap of several tens to several hundreds of μm on the printed circuit board between GND and the touch electrode T ₁ of the touch sensor of the power supply circuit 132, or micro The discharge part of the gap is similarly used to discharge the electrostatic charge to the power supply GND, and the residual voltage between T _{1 and} GND is reduced to about several hundred volts or less, and the electronic component used in the capacitance detection circuit 128 is reduced. It is designed to protect against voltage breakdown.

However, the electrostatic charge transferred from the touch electrode _{T 1} to the power supply GND in the discharge gap _{G G,} the voltage change rate dV / dT per unit of time of the discharge time and so approximately 30,000V / 1~2nS large, In normal use where only a small amount of signal current flows with a DC power supply, the impedance of the electrical wiring was not a problem at all, but the electrostatic charge amount of 500 PF, 30,000 V instantaneously moves toward the ground. , inductance and resistance of _{R G} of _{L G} such a inductive component of the wiring, or the is inductive component is not shown _{R GC1,} R _{GC2, R} resistance of such _GC3, large residual which also thousands V The voltage is generated between GND of each power supply 0V, which should be the same potential, and the residual voltage is several hundred times as high as the rated withstand voltage of several tens of volts for general electronic parts. Because of the high voltage, the electrostatic capacity detection circuit 128 of the touch sensor will instantaneously electrostatically destroy the electronic components used in the control circuit 130 and the power supply circuit 132. For example, if the control circuit 130 is connected to G _C1 , G _C2 , G _C3 and the multi-point power supply GND on the pattern wiring of one printed circuit board, several hundred to about between each GND that should be at the same potential Since a large potential difference of several thousand volts is generated, the electronic component is similarly electrostatically damaged, and the protection method is very difficult logically and technically.

  In order to protect against static electricity, the inventions described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 described above have been made, and these measures have been adopted and implemented in the market. However, there are many pachinko parlors in old game halls that do not have wiring to the frame ground or frame ground, and in that case, the technical contents described in Patent Documents 1 to 4 cannot help prevent electrostatic breakdown. In some cases, the metal frame used for the pachinko machine frame is used as a substitute for the apparent frame ground. When the capacitance of the electrostatic power supply is applied to the apparent frame ground at 500 PF and the electrostatic voltage is 30,000 V, the capacitance with respect to the ground necessary for an alternative portion such as a metal portion as a frame ground is determined by the touch sensor. Considering the capacitance between the earths required to divide and attenuate the voltage down to several tens of volts, which is the withstand voltage specification of the electronic components used in the capacitance detection circuit 128 and the control circuit 130 of the pachinko machine, Since the voltage division with respect to the capacitance is inversely proportional to the capacitance value, to attenuate 30,000 V with an electrostatic power source capacitance of 500 PF, for example, to 50 V, 300,000 PF, which is approximately 600 times 500 PF, that is, 0.3 μF, is very high. Without a large capacity, the partial pressure protection by electrostatic capacity will not function. However, even if the size of the pachinko machine is large, it is impossible to provide a capacitance for such a large-capacity ground.

  In addition, the extremely short wiring length to the frame ground that eliminates electrostatic charges to the ground is a basic condition for functioning to prevent electrostatic breakdown. This will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 17, only the 0V power supply ground is described as an example for the wiring conductor resistance and the wiring inductance for easy understanding.

In the touch sensor devices described in Patent Documents 1 to 4, protection of electronic components such as a control circuit from static electricity is made to function by eliminating electrostatic charges to the frame ground. If the voltage change rate dV / dT of very large, in the circuit configuration of the entire pachinko game machine illustrated in FIG. 17, the electrostatic charge applied from the touch electrodes T ₁ is a touch sensor of an electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 128 printed conductor DC resistance _R FG1 of the electric wiring from the frame ground terminal FG ₁ with a discharge gap _{G F} on the substrate to the frame _{ground, R FG2} without an inductive component wiring inductance _{L FG1, L FG2} that there is no condition It has become. This can also be inferred from the fact that Patent Documents 1 to 4 do not describe a residual voltage such as a voltage drop on the wiring. However, such a thing is directly unless discharged to ground in theory is to impossible to realistically, always DC resistance R _FG1 or inductive wiring such as shown in FIG. 17 the discharge gap G _F Inductance L _FG1 is present up to the alternative frame ground made of the metal portion 138 provided on the pachinko machine, and R _FG2 or the like is connected to the wiring from the alternative frame ground to the FG line terminal for connection to the ground. Since _LFG2 exists, a large residual voltage drop due to charge transfer always occurs in this portion. These residual voltages are the same between the ground GND connected to the FG line and the grounded ground ground of the AC power source 134 which is the source of the power source such as the capacitance detection circuit 128 of the touch sensor and the control circuit 130 of the pachinko machine. the potential, and potential of the discharge gap _{G FG} discharge gap _{G F,} since both the discharge gap _{G F,} the _{G FG} has entered the parallel discharge gap _{G FG} as with the discharge gap _{G F} static Is discharged, and the discharged _GFG portion has the same potential as the GS portion, which is the circuit ground point of the touch sensor, as the air is ionized by the discharge. That is, the electrostatic voltage applied to the touch electrode with the earth ground in common is the same as that of the GS part and the AC power source because the electric wiring circuit from the GS part to the earth ground is a parallel circuit as shown in FIG. Is applied as a parallel circuit between the two earth grounds. Therefore, when there is an electric wiring of a certain length, static electricity applied to the touch electrode is somewhat attenuated, but basically, even if the frame ground terminal FG ₁ is used, there is a difference in degree, but the touch sensor. The electronic parts of the electrostatic capacitance detection circuit 128 and the control circuit 130 are destroyed.

  That is, the techniques shown in Patent Documents 1 to 4 make no sense if there is no frame ground, and even if there is a frame ground, if there is a certain wiring length, the protection function against static electricity has some effect. Therefore, the current situation is that destruction by static electricity in the market cannot be eliminated.

  In order to solve the problems of conventional pachinko machine handles such as the touch sensor detection circuit and control circuit being destroyed by the high potential static electricity as described above, it will not function as a pachinko machine. Actually, there is a need for a pachinko machine handle that can detect human bodies, such as eliminating the need for a frame ground that does not function much against static electricity and eliminating the need for expensive assembly wiring processing costs to the frame ground. Has been.

  In addition, the touch sensor used in the conventional handle has a rated detection capacity in the range of 20 PF to 50 PF in consideration of environmental conditions such as high-frequency electromagnetic waves, temperature, and humidity, or variations in capacitance due to assembly wiring. Most of them are 25PF and 30PF. In this case, the touch sensor must be easily detected even by a person who is engaged in farming work or hard work, and the playground equipment with thick horny hands, but the capacitance for the touch sensor to detect the person is not touchable. Since it occurs in proportion to the contact area between the electrode and the palm, the conventional touch sensor must provide a wide contact area. For this reason, since a large touch electrode is required, it is necessary to separate the detection circuit portion and the detection electrode portion, and it cannot be integrated in a small size. In addition, since it is impossible to integrate the touch electrode provided on the surface of the handle and the detection circuit of the touch sensor installed inside the fixed portion of the handle, the touch electrode and the touch sensor detection circuit are provided on the handle. Since they must be connected by wiring after being separately assembled, there is also a problem that the assembly cost and the wiring processing cost become high.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and can greatly reduce the movement of electrostatic discharge charges, thereby preventing electrostatic breakdown of sensors and control circuits. Can eliminate the feeling of pain due to electrostatic discharge shocks, can eliminate the need for a frame ground, and can increase the detection sensitivity of capacitance by the human body. This eliminates the need for the player to hold the handle with a constant force for a long time like the conventional handle used, reducing wrist fatigue, and allowing the player to play with gloves, and to detect it. It is possible to integrate the electrode and the detection circuit, so that it is possible to reduce the size of the component parts, and the wiring between the detection electrode and the detection circuit is not required and wiring processing costs are reduced. And to provide a handle-contact sensor unit of the pachinko gaming machine that allows the valence.

In the present invention, in order to achieve the above-mentioned object, a game for a detection electrode is not used as a sensor for detecting a human body without using a touch sensor that requires a player to touch the detection electrode directly by hand. A capacitive sensor that can detect a human body when a part of a person's hand approaches is used. The capacitance sensor here has the ability to detect a capacitance with a capacitance detection sensitivity of about several PF to 0.1 PF, and a grounded metal plate or a human body with a large capacitance has a distance between the sensors. Detection is possible only by approaching a position several millimeters away, and since it is not necessary to contact the direct touch electrode unlike a touch sensor, it is generally called a capacitive proximity sensor.
That is, the invention according to claim 1 is a handle contact detection that detects by a capacitance sensor that a player's hand is in contact with a handle that adjusts the firing strength of a pachinko ball in a pachinko gaming machine and the handle is operated. In the apparatus, the player is in contact with the outer surface of the handle by disposing the detection surface portion of the capacitance sensor inside the handle so as to be close to the outer surface of the handle where a part of the player's hand contacts. An insulating material forming part is provided so as to be interposed between a part of the hand of the player and the detection surface part, and the static electricity generated by the player is passed through the insulating material forming part from the part of the hand of the electrostatic capacity. It is characterized in that the sensor is discharged to the detection surface.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the handle contact detection device according to the first aspect, the detection circuit of the capacitance sensor and the detection electrode are formed on a single substrate.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the handle contact detection device according to the first or second aspect, the electrostatic capacity sensor is operated by a player's hand so as to rotate integrally with the hand. It is mounted and rotated in synchronization with it.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the handle contact detection device according to any one of the first to third aspects, the detection surface portion of the capacitance sensor is placed at a portion where a part of the player's finger contacts the handle. It is arranged at a corresponding position.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the handle contact detection device according to the fourth aspect, a portion of the handle that contacts a part of the player's finger corresponding to the detection surface portion of the capacitance sensor is formed of an insulating material. The insulating material forming portion is formed with a guide for indicating the position where the detection surface portion is disposed and guiding the player's finger to that position.

  According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in the handle contact detection device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, a portion of the handle that is touched, gripped and rotated by a player's hand is integrally formed of an insulating material. The thickness of the part where the part of the player's hand comes into contact is thinner than the other parts that require strength.

  According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the handle contact detection device according to any one of the first to sixth aspects, the capacitance sensor is housed in a case, and the case is attached to a player's hand of the handle. It is installed in the position corresponding to the site | part which a part of touches.

  According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, in the handle contact detection device according to any one of the first to fifth aspects, the detection surface portion of the capacitance sensor has an interior of a case in which at least one wall surface is formed of an insulating material. The case is attached so as to be in contact with or close to the wall surface, and the case is attached to a part of the handle where a part of the player's hand contacts, and the wall surface forms a part of the handle outer surface. It is characterized by that.

  According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, in the handle contact detection device according to any one of the first to eighth aspects, a conductive material is provided on the surface of the insulating material forming portion of the handle corresponding to the detection surface portion of the capacitance sensor. Or an auxiliary detection electrode formed by applying or plating a conductive material on the surface of the insulating material forming portion.

  According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the handle contact detection device according to any one of the first to ninth aspects, the detection electrode of the capacitance sensor is patterned on a part of the printed circuit board on which the detection circuit is formed. It is characterized by that.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the handle contact detection device according to the tenth aspect, between the detection electrode of the capacitance sensor and the detection circuit of the printed circuit board, the detection electrode and the detection circuit are electrically connected. A notch is formed in a portion other than a portion where a wiring pattern to be connected to is formed.

In the handle contact detection device according to the first aspect of the present invention, the detection surface portion of the capacitance sensor that detects the human body interposes the handle outer surface and the insulating material forming portion at the part where the player's hand contacts. Therefore, a part of a player's hand with large static electricity approaches or contacts the handle, and the high-potential static electricity that the person himself has is discharged to the detection surface of the capacitance sensor. However, since the discharge impedance of the insulating material forming portion (insulator) interposed between a part of the player's hand and the detection surface portion is large, the electric circuit portion of the capacitance sensor is moved along with the electrostatic discharge. The electrostatic charge is extremely small. For this reason, the electronic components of the capacitance sensor provided inside the handle and the electronic components of the control circuit of the pachinko machine that processes the signal of the capacitance sensor are not affected by electrostatic discharge, and those components are not affected. It is possible to prevent electrostatic breakdown of electronic components. And since the amount of electrostatic charge accompanying electrostatic discharge becomes extremely small, the pain when the player's own static electricity discharges to the handle is reduced, especially for women, but fear of electrostatic discharge shock In addition, a player with a pacemaker can play with peace of mind.
Further, since the movement of the electrostatic charge is small, the movement of the electrostatic charge is greatly attenuated by the distributed capacitance of the electric wiring with respect to the ground, so that the frame ground becomes unnecessary. This eliminates the need for external wiring work to the frame ground, etc., and makes it possible to reduce the manufacturing cost of the pachinko machine handle. Further, by using a capacitance sensor instead of a conventional touch sensor as a detection sensor for detecting a human body, the detection sensitivity of the human body becomes very high, so that a slight change in capacitance can be detected. . Therefore, the detection electrode can be made small, and the detection sensor (capacitance sensor) can be downsized. As the capacitance sensor becomes smaller, the detection electrode and the detection circuit can be integrated.

  In the handle contact detection device according to the second aspect of the invention, since the detection circuit and the detection electrode of the capacitance sensor are formed on one substrate, the wiring connection work between the detection circuit and the detection electrode, and the detection electrode The assembly of the parts and the incorporation of the detection circuit part can be performed in one operation, and the manufacturing cost of the handle can be further reduced.

  In the handle contact detection device according to the third aspect of the invention, as the detection electrode and the detection circuit are integrated and the capacitance sensor can be reduced in size, the capacitance sensor can be operated by the player's hand. When the handle is rotated to adjust the firing strength of the pachinko ball by being mounted on the handle rotating part that rotates integrally with its hand and rotating in synchronization with it, the human body of the capacitance sensor ( Part of the player's hand) The detection position does not shift.

  In the handle contact detection device according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the capacitance sensor used for detecting the human body is not a touch sensor that needs to generate a large amount of capacitance, but can detect a slight capacitance. Along with being a capacitance sensor, the detection surface of the capacitance sensor is disposed at a position corresponding to a part where a part of the player's finger comes into contact with the handle, so that it is necessary to strongly grip the grip. Since it disappears, fatigue of the hand by the steering wheel operation by long-time play can be prevented.

  In the handle contact detection device of the invention according to claim 5, the finger guide is formed in the insulating material forming part by adding a convex or concave shape or performing a surface smoothing process. This makes it easy to understand the detection position of the player's finger and prevents the game from stopping due to the finger moving from the detection position of the capacitance sensor even if the player is engrossed during the game.

  In the handle contact detection device according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, the generation of capacitance due to the part of the player's hand approaching the detection surface of the capacitance sensor increases, and the detection reliability can be increased. In addition, it is possible to reliably detect the approach of a part of a hand even in a cold winter or a hygienic and clean player even with gloves on.

  In the handle contact detection device according to the seventh aspect of the present invention, the electrostatic capacity sensor can be assembled to the handle by installing the case at a position corresponding to a part of the handle that contacts a part of the player's hand. Therefore, it becomes easy to incorporate the capacitance sensor into the handle.

  In the handle contact detection device according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, the capacitance sensor can be assembled to the handle by attaching the case to a portion of the handle that contacts a part of the player's hand. It becomes easy to incorporate the capacitance sensor into the.

  In the handle contact detection device according to the ninth aspect of the present invention, since the auxiliary detection electrode is provided on the surface of the insulating material forming portion, the position of a part of the player's hand, for example, the finger is slightly shifted from the detection surface portion. Even when the generated capacitance is small because the proximity area of the finger to the detection surface portion of the capacitance sensor is not sufficiently obtained, such as when the fingertip is raised and brought close to the detection surface portion, a part of the finger is If the auxiliary detection electrode touches even in the form of a spot, the large capacitance is input to the capacitance sensor, similar to when a finger approaches the entire detection electrode of the capacitance sensor, using the conductivity of the human body. Therefore, it is possible to detect a finger with high reliability.

  In the handle contact detection device of the invention according to claim 10, the manufacturing cost of the detection electrode of the electrostatic capacity sensor for detecting a human body is reduced, and the wiring assembly between the detection electrode and the detection circuit is not required, and The capacity sensor can be downsized.

In the handle contact detection device according to the eleventh aspect of the invention, the detection capacitance of the capacitance sensor can be improved by reducing the fixed capacitance of the detection electrode.
In more detail, when a detection circuit and a detection electrode are provided on a single printed circuit board, the detection electrode is connected to the detection circuit via an inter-pattern distributed capacitance generated by a relative dielectric constant εs of a printed circuit board material such as epoxy glass. Is done. Since the power supply circuit and the control circuit are connected to the detection circuit, the detection circuit is connected to the ground in terms of high frequency due to the distributed capacitance of the wiring from the capacitance sensor to the outside. This is similar to the state in which a ground ground fixed around the detection electrode is provided. This fixed capacitance corresponds to noise when viewed from the S / N (ratio of signal to noise) of the detection circuit, and has a large adverse effect on temperature characteristics among the environmental resistance characteristics of capacitance sensors. The function as a capacitive sensor may not be performed. Therefore, the printed circuit board material of the portion without the pattern other than the portion where one wiring pattern for connecting them is connected between the detection circuit and the detection electrode is cut out, and the fixed capacitance of the detection electrode to the ground Therefore, the capacitance sensor has good environmental resistance and high reliability.

It is an exploded perspective view showing an example of an embodiment of the present invention and showing a configuration of a handle contact detection device installed in a handle portion of a pachinko gaming machine. (A) is a perspective view which shows the state which attached the electrostatic capacitance sensor of the handle | steering-wheel detection apparatus shown in FIG. 1 to the handle | steering-wheel rotation part of a pachinko game machine, (b) is the handle | steering-wheel rotation part seen from the back side. (C) is the perspective view which looked at the electrostatic capacitance sensor from the detection surface side, (d) is the perspective view which looked at it from the detection surface back side. (A) is the top view which looked at the capacitive sensor shown in FIG. 2 from the detection surface back side, (b) is the side view, (c) looked at it from the detection surface side It is a top view. An example of the configuration of the capacitance sensor different from that shown in FIG. 3 is shown, (a) is a plan view of the capacitance sensor viewed from the back side of the detection surface, and (b) is a detection surface. It is the top view seen from the side. It is a perspective view which shows an example of the shape of the guide for guiding a player's finger | toe to a detection position formed in the handle | steering-wheel part to which the electrostatic capacitance sensor was attached. It is a perspective view which shows another example of a shape of the guide for guiding a player's finger | toe to a detection position formed in the handle | steering-wheel part to which the electrostatic capacitance sensor was attached. It is a partial expanded sectional view which shows the state which the finger | toe of a pachinko player is making contact with the insulating material formation part of the handle interposed between the detection electrodes of the capacitance sensor. It is a perspective view which shows the structural example which provided the auxiliary | assistant detection electrode in the position corresponding to the detection electrode of an electrostatic capacitance sensor of the surface of the insulating material formation part of a handle | steering-wheel. It is a partial expanded sectional view which shows the state which the finger | toe of a pachinko player is contacting the auxiliary | assistant detection electrode provided in the surface of the insulating material formation part of the handle interposed between the detection electrodes of a capacitance sensor. Another embodiment of this invention is shown, (a) is a perspective view showing a state in which the capacitance sensor of the handle contact detection device is attached to the handle rotation part of the pachinko gaming machine, (b) is a handle rotation FIG. 4C is a perspective view of the case viewed from the back side, and FIG. 5C is a perspective view of the case housing the capacitance sensor viewed from the detection surface side, and FIG. FIG. 11 shows the configuration of the capacitance sensor shown in FIG. 11, (a) is a plan view of the case housing the capacitance sensor viewed from the detection surface side, (b) is a side view thereof, (C) is the top view which looked at it from the detection surface back side. Another embodiment of this invention is shown, (a) is a disassembled perspective view for demonstrating the state which attaches the electrostatic capacitance sensor of a handle | steering-wheel contact detection apparatus to the handle | steering-wheel part of a pachinko game machine, (b) FIG. 4 is a plan view of the case containing the capacitance sensor as viewed from the detection surface side, (c) is a side view thereof, (d) is a front view thereof, and (e) is a plan view thereof. It is the top view seen from the detection surface back side. An example of the configuration of a capacitance sensor in which detection electrodes are integrally attached to a printed circuit board on which a detection circuit is formed is shown, (a) is a perspective view of the capacitance sensor as viewed from the detection surface side, (b ) Is a perspective view as seen from the back side of the detection surface. FIG. 14A shows an example of a configuration different from that shown in FIG. 14A of a capacitance sensor in which detection electrodes are integrally attached to a printed circuit board on which a detection circuit is formed, and (a) detects the capacitance sensor. It is the perspective view seen from the surface side, (b) is the perspective view which looked at it from the detection surface back side. It is a figure which shows one example of the whole circuit structure of the pachinko game machine which equipped with the handle | steering-wheel contact detection apparatus based on this invention. In the pachinko gaming machine equipped with the handle contact detection device according to the present invention, an equivalent circuit when static electricity is applied to the capacitance sensor via the insulating material forming portion of the handle portion and the electrostatic charge accompanying electrostatic discharge moves FIG. It is a disassembled perspective view which shows the structure of the conventional handle contact detection apparatus installed in the handle | steering-wheel part of a pachinko game machine. It is a figure which shows an example of the whole circuit structure of the conventional pachinko game machine which comprised the touch sensor. It is a figure which shows an example of the whole circuit structure of the conventional pachinko game machine which equipped with the touch sensor and used the frame ground.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
The structure of the handle itself of the pachinko gaming machine is the same as the conventional one. As shown in FIG. 1, the handle 10 includes a handle base portion 12 that is a fixed portion, a handle rotating portion 14 that is a rotating portion, and a cover 16. ing. Then, after attaching the handle rotating unit 14 to the handle base unit 12, the handle 10 has a cover 16 attached to the front side of the handle rotating unit 14 so that the handle rotating unit 14 can freely rotate the volume 18. It is assembled and attached to a pachinko machine. The handle base 12 includes a pachinko ball firing intensity adjusting volume 18 and a pachinko ball firing stop switch 20. A plurality of connection wires 22 such as the volume 18 and the switch 20 are connected to the handle base portion 12. The wires are bound using a binding band 24 so that the wires do not fall apart, and are connected to the control board 28 by a connector 26.

  The handle 10 is not provided with the touch electrode of the touch sensor on the outer surface of the handle rotating portion 14, and the peripheral wall surface of the handle rotating portion 14 is formed of a thermoplastic material which is an insulating material. And the electrostatic capacitance sensor 30 is arrange | positioned inside the surrounding wall surface of the handle | steering-wheel rotation part 14 so that it may closely_contact | adhere to the inner surface. The capacitance sensor 30 is connected to the control board 28 by a wiring 32 via a connection wiring 22 and a connector 26. The capacitance sensor 30 used here receives a capacitance of about 0.1 PF or more when a detection body having a high relative dielectric constant such as a human body approaches the detection electrode up to a distance of about several millimeters. This is a capacitance type proximity sensor that starts oscillation of the oscillation circuit when the capacitance exceeds a set capacitance value and outputs a detection signal when oscillation starts.

  As shown in FIGS. 2C and 2D and FIG. 3, the electrostatic capacitance sensor 30 forms a detection electrode 36 on one surface of one rectangular printed board 34 to form a printed board. The detection circuit 38 is formed on the back surface of the other one side of 34, and the detection electrode 36 and the detection circuit 38 are electrically connected by the wiring pattern 40. In the central portion of the printed circuit board 34 in the longitudinal direction, a pair of cuts are made between the detection electrode 36 and the detection circuit 38, except for the portion where the wiring pattern 40 for connecting the detection electrode 36 and the detection circuit 38 is formed. A notch 42 is formed. A connector 44 is provided on the back side of the printed circuit board 34 adjacent to the portion where the detection circuit 38 is formed. As an example of the dimensions of each part, the printed circuit board 34 has a width × length = [10 mm to 14 mm] × [20 mm to 30 mm], and the detection electrode 36 has [8 mm × 8 mm] to [12 mm × 12 mm]. Compared to the size of the touch electrode excluding the sensor circuit part of the touch sensor used in the past, the size is one-tenth to a few tenths, and the area and volume are very small Has been. The notch 42 has a width of about 1.5 mm. As shown in FIG. 4, instead of the notches 42, a pair of long holes, for example, the longitudinal direction is about 5 mm in the short direction in the central portion in the longitudinal direction of the printed circuit board 34a of the capacitance sensor 30a. A long hole 42a having a diameter of about 1.5 mm may be formed. As described above, the capacitance sensor 30 configured by forming the detection electrode 36 and the detection circuit 38 on the single printed board 34 can be manufactured at low cost. Further, since the detection electrode 36 and the detection circuit 38 are formed on a single printed board 34 and integrated with each other, the expensive cost for incorporation into the handle portion as in the conventional touch electrode, and the touch electrode Since the processing cost for wiring connection between the touch sensor circuit portion and the touch sensor circuit portion is not required, the manufacturing cost of the handle can be reduced.

  Here, the electrical circuit in the pachinko machine is connected to the ground via a distributed capacity of electrical wiring with respect to the ground and a coupling capacity between coil windings such as a transformer in terms of high frequency (see FIG. 13 described later). The detection electrode 36 of the capacitance sensor 30 has a large fixed capacitance between the detection circuit 38 and the detection electrode 38 of the printed circuit board 34 in order not to deteriorate the environmental resistance characteristics such as temperature and drift of the detection circuit 38. The portion other than one wiring pattern 40 connecting 36 and the detection circuit 38 is cut out to the extent that mechanical strength is allowed, and is generated by the relative dielectric constant εs of epoxy glass that is a material for forming the printed circuit board 34. The fixed capacitance value with respect to the ground is reduced. If the fixed capacitance value between the detection electrode 36 and the detection circuit unit 38 is reduced, the S / N ratio between the detection capacitance and the fixed capacitance increases, and accordingly, even if the detection sensitivity is extremely high, a stable electrostatic capacitance is obtained. Capacitance detection is possible. The electrostatic capacity sensor 30 generally detects an electrostatic capacity of 0.1 PF to several PF input from the outside. For example, the printed circuit board is formed of a glass epoxy resin having a width of 12 mm and a thickness of 1.2 mm, the pattern has a copper foil thickness of 18 μm, and the distance between the pattern 1 assuming the detection electrode and the pattern 2 assuming the detection circuit is When the thickness is 1.5 mm, a fixed capacitance of about 0.5 PF is generated as the capacitance between the patterns 1 and 2. If the portion of the printed circuit board without the copper foil between the patterns 1 and 2 is cut into a length of 1.5 mm and a length of 8 mm, the fixed capacity becomes 0.35 PF, which is 70% of 0.5 PF. Thus, the fixed capacity of about 30% can be reduced. This reduced fixed capacitance value of 0.15 PF occupies about 50% for a capacitance sensor that detects, for example, a capacitance of 0.3 PF input from the outside, and is a very large noise portion for the detection circuit. Will be cut. Therefore, environmental characteristics such as temperature characteristics and drift are improved, which contributes to large quality improvement and highly sensitive detection. This capacitance data is shown in Table 1.

  As shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, the capacitance sensor 30 configured as described above has a detection electrode 36 forming a detection surface portion on the inner side of the peripheral wall surface of the handle rotating portion 14. It is mounted so as to be in close contact with the peripheral wall surface. Therefore, the electrostatic capacity sensor 30 is rotated in synchronization with the handle rotating unit 14 that is operated by the player's hand and rotates integrally with the hand. The position at which the capacitance sensor 30 is attached to the handle rotation unit 14 is a position where the detection electrode 36 is arranged so as to correspond to a portion where a part of the finger contacts when the player normally holds the handle 10. It is said.

  When the player operates the handle, the handle 10 is gripped on the outer peripheral surface of the handle rotating unit 14 in order to prevent the detection function from being lost due to the position of the finger being shifted from the corresponding portion of the detection electrode 36. A guide 46 for guiding the player's finger to the position of the detection surface portion (detection electrode 36) is formed at a portion where a part of the player's finger contacts. As illustrated in FIG. 5A, the guide 46 is provided by forming a part of the outer peripheral surface of the handle rotating unit 14 in a shape that follows the belly of the fingertip. Further, as shown in FIG. 5B, a curved depression that extends along the belly of the finger is formed on a part of the outer peripheral surface of the handle rotating unit 14, and this is used as a guide 46a.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the thickness of the peripheral wall surface of the handle rotating portion 14 where the guide 46 is formed is much thinner than the other portions that require strength. Therefore, when the player naturally holds the handle 10 with his / her hand, the finger F guided by the guide 46 and touching the outer peripheral surface of the handle rotating portion 14 has an electrostatic capacity via the thin insulating material forming portion 48. It comes close to the detection electrode 36 of the sensor 30. The capacitance sensor 30 has a capacitance value obtained by summing the slight capacitance generated in the thin insulating material forming portion 48 that isolates the detection electrode 36 and the capacitance generated when the finger F approaches. A detection signal is not output unless a capacitance that is input to the detection electrode 36 and exceeds a level discrimination value set by a circuit constant is input. When a capacitance that is equal to or higher than the level discrimination value is input, the detection circuit 38 A detection signal is output. For example, when the circuit constant of the capacitance sensor 30 is set to a detection sensitivity of 0.3 PF, the relative dielectric constant εs of the thin insulating material forming portion 48 is 2.2, and a fixed capacitance of 0.1 PF is generated. When a capacitance of 0.2 PF is generated with respect to the detection electrode 36 when the finger F approaches the surface of the insulating material forming portion 48 to a distance of, for example, 3 mm through the insulating material forming portion 48, the total static electricity is generated. The capacitance value becomes 0.3 PF, and a detection signal is output. Therefore, it is not necessary for the player to squeeze the handle 10 strongly, and it is only necessary to attach the finger F to the portion where the guide 46 is formed. In addition, it is possible to operate the steering wheel even while wearing gloves in a cold winter season, etc., and even a person wearing a pacemaker can enjoy pachinko playing with psychological peace of mind. Since the amount of capacitance generated by the approach of the finger F increases, the capacitance detection characteristics are extremely stable, and environmental resistance characteristics such as temperature characteristics and drift characteristics due to long-term use and quality reliability are ensured. . The relationship between the thickness of the insulator (insulating material forming portion 48) and the magnitude of the capacitance generated at the detection electrode 36 will be described below with reference to the results of an electrostatic test.

  When the electrostatic capacity sensor 30 is mounted on the inner surface side of the handle rotating unit 14 as shown in FIG. 2, as shown in FIG. 1, between the handle rotating unit 14 and the handle fixing unit 12 and the handle A gap without an insulator is formed between the rotating portion 14 and the cover 16. Here, when a high-potential electrostatic voltage is applied to the detection portion of the handle rotation unit 14, the creeping distance (the shortest distance along the surface of the insulator) between the electrostatic application unit and the electric circuit unit is short. Then, the static electricity is discharged on the creeping surface of the insulator, the discharged creeping air is ionized and becomes conductive, and a large electrostatic charge moves to the electric circuit unit, and the electronic component or control circuit used for the capacitance sensor 30 The electronic components used in the above are electrostatically broken in the same manner as a handle using a conventional touch sensor. The relationship between the creeping distance and the creeping discharge voltage varies depending on the shape and material of the insulator, but the handle 10 equipped with the contact detection device according to the present invention is based on the specifications required for the electrostatic withstand voltage. Each part is designed to have a large creepage distance taking into account the rate, so as to prevent breakdown due to electrostatic creeping discharge.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7, the auxiliary detection electrode 50 is provided in the formation portion of the guide 46 corresponding to the detection electrode 36 (not shown in FIG. 7) of the capacitive sensor 30 of the handle rotating unit 14. is there. The auxiliary detection electrode 50 only needs to have conductivity, and may be not only a metal plate but also a conductive plastic in which carbon or metal powder is mixed in a plastic material, or printing of a conductive paint or partial plating of metal. In general, the auxiliary detection electrode 50 is formed of a metal plate, and the auxiliary detection electrode 50 made of the metal plate is attached to the surface of the insulating material forming portion 48 of the guide 46 forming portion with an adhesive or a molded product. A groove is formed on the outer surface of a certain handle rotating portion 14, and the auxiliary detection electrode 50 is fitted into the groove. Alternatively, the auxiliary detection electrode 50 is formed by applying or plating a conductive material to the surface of the insulating material forming portion 48 of the handle 46 forming portion of the handle rotating portion 14. The amount of capacitance generated at the detection electrode 36 of the capacitance sensor 30 is determined based on the proximity between the detection body (player's finger) and the detection electrode 36 that approaches when the approach distance to the detection electrode 36 is constant. Although it is proportional to the area, when the auxiliary detection electrode 50 is provided on the surface of the insulating material forming portion 48, the player puts the tip of the finger F as shown in FIG. 36, even if the finger is slightly displaced from the detection electrode 36 and the proximity area of the finger F to the detection electrode 36 of the capacitance sensor 30 is not sufficiently obtained, and the generated capacitance is small. When a part of the finger F comes into contact with the auxiliary detection electrode 50 even in the form of a dot, the largeness is the same as when the finger F approaches the entire detection electrode 36 of the capacitance sensor 30 using the conductivity of the human body. The capacitance is input to the capacitance sensor 30. . As a result, it is possible to detect the finger F with high reliability. The effect of providing the auxiliary detection electrode 50 on the surface of the insulator (insulating material forming portion 48) will be described below with the results of the electrostatic test.

Next, a configuration example different from the above of the capacitance sensor will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 and 10.
As shown in FIG. 10B, the electrostatic capacity sensor 52 has a pattern of detection electrodes 56 formed on one surface of one rectangular printed board 54 as in the electrostatic capacity sensor 30 described above. The detection circuit 58 is formed on the other side of the printed circuit board 54, and the detection electrodes 56 and the detection circuit 58 are electrically connected by a wiring pattern (not shown). In addition, a connector 60 is provided on the back side of the printed circuit board 54 adjacent to the portion where the detection circuit 58 is formed. The capacitance sensor 52 is housed in a rectangular case 62 formed of a plastic material as shown in FIGS. 9C and 9D, and FIG. A portion corresponding to 60 is closed by an open cover 64. The size of the case 62 is, for example, 14 mm × 29 mm. The wall surface of the case 62 with which the detection electrode 56 is in contact is formed very thin. Further, the detection electrode 56 of the capacitance sensor 52 is in close contact with the inner wall surface of the case 62 so that the front side of the case 62 forms a detection surface 66 as shown in FIG. 9C and FIG. Are arranged as follows. The case 62 in which the capacitance sensor 52 is housed is arranged so that the detection surface 66 is in close contact with the peripheral wall surface inside the peripheral wall surface of the handle rotating unit 14 as shown in FIGS. Implemented.

  9 and 10, when the case-containing electrostatic capacity sensor 52 is used and the creepage distance can be secured by the case 62 that houses the electrostatic capacity sensor 52, the detection surface 66 may be electrostatically charged. Can be prevented by the case 62 formed of a plastic material. Therefore, the capacitance sensor 52 may be attached to the inside of the peripheral wall surface of the handle rotating unit 14, and it is not necessary to cover it twice with an insulator. Such a case-containing capacitance sensor 52 is used when quality is important or when it is desired to be easy to handle so as to withstand messy handling.

  In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, a mounting hole 68 is formed in a part of the peripheral wall surface of the handle rotating portion 14a, and a case 74 containing the capacitance sensor 70 is fitted into the mounting hole 68 from the outside. It was implemented as The attachment hole 68 is formed in a portion where the fingertip abuts when the player holds the handle with his hand. Although detailed illustration and description are omitted, the capacitance sensor 70 has the same configuration as the capacitance sensors 30 and 52 described above, and forms a detection electrode, a detection circuit, and a wiring pattern on one printed board. A connector 72 is provided adjacent to the detection circuit forming portion. The case 74 is formed of a plastic material that is an insulating material. The case 74 indicates a position where the detection surface portion is disposed and guides the player's fingertip to the position. The mounting portion 78 is connected to the lower side and formed in a cylindrical shape. The wall surface of the guide plate-like portion 76 is formed thin, and the capacitance sensor 70 is disposed inside the case 74 so that a detection electrode (not shown) is in contact with or close to the thin wall surface. Yes. Locking portions 80 for positioning and fixing the case 74 to the handle rotating portion 14a are formed on both side surfaces of the mounting portion 78. A cover 82 having an opening corresponding to the connector 72 is attached to the mounting portion 78 of the case 74, and the capacitance sensor 70 is covered with the cover 82. Then, the case 74 containing the capacitance sensor 70 is fitted into the mounting hole 68 of the handle rotating portion 14a, and the surface of the guide plate-like portion 76 of the case 74 forms a part of the outer surface of the handle rotating portion 14a. To be attached. Such a case-containing electrostatic capacity sensor 70 can secure a creepage distance by the case 74 for housing it, so that it can be attached to the handle rotating portion 14a from the outside, and the assembling property is improved. In addition, the degree of freedom in the design of the handlebars is great, and the maintainability can be improved.

  FIGS. 12A and 12B illustrate another configuration example of the capacitance sensor. The capacitance sensor 84a shown in FIG. 12A has a wiring pattern formed integrally with a detection electrode 92a having a curved plate so as to be parallel to a printed circuit board 90a on which a detection circuit 86a is formed and a connector 88a is mounted. It is implemented via 94a. Further, the electrostatic capacitance sensor 84b shown in FIG. 12B has a curved plate-shaped detection electrode 92b integrally formed on the printed circuit board 90b on which the detection circuit 86b is formed and the connector 88b is mounted so as to overlap with the printed circuit board 90b. In addition, it is mounted via the wiring 94b. The capacitance sensors 84a and 84b in which the detection electrodes 92a and 92b are curved as described above are used when a flat detection electrode cannot be used because of design or the like. In addition, when the detection electrode is made of a metal plate, the shape of the detection electrode is not limited to a curved plate shape, and can be formed into a free curved surface or shape by pressing using a metal diaphragm die. .

  Next, a circuit configuration of electrostatic protection for the capacitance sensor in the pachinko gaming machine will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 13, only the 0V power supply ground is described as an example for the wiring conductor resistance and the wiring inductance for easy understanding. Further, the same members as those described with reference to FIG. 16 are given the same reference numerals as those used in FIG.

  When static electricity generated by a player operating the handle 10 of the pachinko machine is discharged to the detection electrode 36 of the capacitance sensor provided in the handle 10 portion, the contact detection device directly connects to the electric circuit. Since the electrostatic charge is prevented from moving to the inside and the electrostatic charge is moved through the insulator (insulating material forming portion) 48, the amount of movement of the electrostatic charge can be extremely reduced. Further, since the residual voltage drop generated on the electric wiring is reduced with the movement of the electrostatic charge, the electronic components used in the electric circuit of the detection circuit 38 of the capacitance sensor and the control circuit 96 are protected from electrostatic breakdown. can do. The extremely small amount of electrostatic charge at this time is returned to the ground via the distributed capacity of the electric wiring and erased.

However, at the moment when static electricity is applied to the capacitance sensor, the electrostatic charge amount of static electricity input to the detection electrode 36 of the capacitance sensor via the capacitance CD of the insulator 48 is reduced to one hundredth. Although limited, the electrostatic voltage is about 30,000 V, which is not different from the conventional one. Although this electrostatic voltage is applied for a very short time and the amount of electrostatic charge is small, the potential of the electrostatic capacity sensor is sufficiently high due to the high potential. have. Therefore, as shown in Z _CP1 and Z _CP2 in FIG. 13, the detection electrode 36 of this capacitance sensor has a low junction capacitance and a rated specification of an electronic component in which a clipping voltage is used in the detection circuit 38. A clipping diode that is equal to or lower than the voltage is inserted between the detection electrode 36 and the 0 V line that is the power supply ground, with the cathodes or anodes connected to each other. As a result, the parts can be protected from electrostatic breakdown against static electricity of any polarity, and are protected so as not to affect the AC oscillation frequency of the oscillation circuit. Since the charge through clipping diode _{Z CP1, Z CP2} via the insulator 48 has been very small, a wiring resistance component _{R G,} generated by _{R GC1,} R _GC2, R _GC3 and wiring inductance _{L G,} etc. The residual voltage drop is small. For this reason, the residual voltage drop has no power to destroy the electronic components used in the electric circuit, and is distributed to the ground by C _W1 , C _W2 , and C _W3 , which are distributed capacitances with respect to the ground of the electric wiring generated in the middle of the wiring. Move, decay and disappear.

  In the handle 10 of the pachinko machine equipped with this contact detection device, the electrostatic charge is not discharged to the capacitance sensor until it passes through the insulating material forming part (insulator) 48. Even when a player who is charged with a higher electrostatic voltage by operating with clothes of woolen fabric or synthetic fiber operates the handle 10, there is little movement of electrostatic charge, and the player has pain associated with discharge. There is no feeling. This principle will be described with reference to FIG.

Figure 14 is an equivalent configuration circuit diagram of a static test device, generally where a specification required by the market, the discharge _{resistor: R} S = _0Ω, the electrostatic _voltage: V S = 30,000V, electrostatic capacitance : Shows the case of CT = 500 PF. In this test, acrylic having various thicknesses (2 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.0 mm, and 0.5 mm) was used as an insulator that simulates the insulating material forming portion 48 disposed on the front surface of the detection electrode 36 of the capacitance sensor 30. A plate was used, and a detection electrode 36 having a size of 12 mm × 12 mm was arranged in close contact with the back side of the insulator (acrylic plate). In addition, a pseudo finger discharge chip PC imitating a human fingertip was used. If the discharge chip PC is tilted and brought into contact with the insulator so that the angle formed by the insulator and the pseudo finger discharge chip PC is 30 ° on the surface of the insulator having the detection electrode 36 on the back surface side, the insulation According to the thickness of the body, a capacitance CD as shown in Table 2 was generated between the discharge chip PC with the insulator interposed and the detection electrode 36.

  From the results shown in Table 2, it can be seen that the capacitance generated in the detection electrode 36 is increased by reducing the thickness of the insulator.

  On the other hand, when a contact discharge chip generally used in the contact discharge test is used and the tip of the contact discharge chip is brought into point contact with the insulator, the static discharge as shown in Table 3 is provided between the contact discharge chip and the detection electrode 36. Electric capacity CD was generated.

  Since the resistance value of the insulator disposed on the front surface of the detection electrode 36 of the capacitance sensor 30 is as high as several tens of MΩ to several hundred MΩ, the amount of charge discharged through the resistance of the insulator should be ignored. Is small enough to The portion of the handle rotating unit 14 that contacts the player's fingertip does not require mechanical strength, so there is no need to increase the thickness of the portion, and in order to increase the capacitance generated by the approach of the finger. Is thinner than other portions, for example, it may be formed to a thickness of 1 mm. The capacitance CD between the pseudo finger discharge chip PC and the detection electrode 36 when the thickness of the insulator is 1 mm is 0.94 PF as shown in Table 2, and the contact when the thickness of the insulator is 1 mm. The capacitance CD between the discharge tip and the detection electrode 36 is 0.44 PF as shown in Table 3. Therefore, even when a test device that generates static electricity having an electrostatic voltage of 30,000 V and a capacitance of 500 PF is used and the static electricity is applied to the detection electrode 36 of the capacitance sensor 30 using the pseudo finger discharge chip PC, An electric circuit equivalent to that shown in FIG. 14 is electrically formed, and the electrostatic capacitance CD between the discharge chip PC and the detection electrode 36 via an insulator and the electrostatic power source 500PF form a series circuit. . For this reason, when the electrostatic charge of 500 PF is charged in the electrostatic capacitance CD and the electrostatic voltage reaches about 30,000 V, the movement of the charge stops, and the movement of the charge indicated by the broken line in FIG. 14 also stops. Become.

The amount of charge Q (Coulomb; C) applied to the detection electrode 36 of the capacitance sensor 30 is the product of the capacitance C (Farad; F) and the voltage V (volt; V), so that Q = C × V (Coulomb). The discharge charge amount Q when using a conventional touch sensor is Q = 500 × 10 ⁻¹² × 30,000 = 15 × 10 ⁻⁶ coulombs = 15 microcoulombs. On the other hand, when the contact detection device according to the present invention is used, the discharge charge amount Q is Q = 0.94 × 10 ⁻¹² × 30,000 = 28.2 × 10 ⁻⁹ coulomb = 28.2 nanocoulomb. It becomes. Thus, the discharge charge amount when using the contact detection device according to the present invention is 28.2n coulomb, compared to the case of the touch sensor, compared with the discharge charge amount of 15 μcoulomb when using the conventional touch sensor. Of about 0.19%. That is, since 0.94PF and 500PF become a series circuit, it decreases to a slight discharge charge amount in proportion to the combined capacity, and returns to the ground through the detection circuit 38, the control circuit 96, and the power supply circuit 132. The ability to electrostatically destroy the electronic components of the electrical circuits used in them is completely eliminated.

Then, the electrostatic voltage remaining in the 500 PF divided by the electrostatic capacity CD attenuates by the amount charged in the 0.94 PF capacity CD, but the degree is slight, and therefore remains at about 30,000 V. Saved. However, since the static electricity can move in the insulator, it is discharged little by little and gradually eliminated, so that there is no sudden movement of electrostatic charge per unit time caused by electrostatic discharge. For this reason, the electronic components used in the electric circuit are not destroyed at all. In addition, since the capacitance CD generated by the contact discharge chip generally used in the contact discharge test is 0.44 PF as shown in Table 3, the discharge charge amount Q is Q = 0.44 × 10 ⁻¹² × 30. , Which is 13.2 × 10 ⁻⁹ coulombs, that is, the amount of electrostatic charge that changes rapidly is 13.2 n coulombs, which is about 0.09% of that when using a touch sensor. As described above, there is no force that can destroy the electric circuit. When a conventional touch sensor is used, as described above, when the electrostatic voltage is 30,000 V, the electrostatic voltage capacity is 500 PF, and the discharge resistance is 0 ohm, the 15 μ-coulomb charge is instantaneously discharged to the touch electrode such as 1 nS to 2 nS. Then, the electrostatic charge is suddenly eliminated to the ground. On the other hand, in the handle using the contact detection device according to the present invention, since the detection electrode 36 and the detection circuit 38 of the capacitance sensor 30 connected to the electric circuit are isolated by an insulator, static electricity is generated. The front surface, which is easily discharged, has a very high insulation resistance.In addition, the electrical circuit is provided with a sufficient creepage distance from the part where static electricity is applied, so it can be used for rapid discharge such as air discharge due to static electricity. The accompanying large electrostatic charge transfer does not occur.

  In addition, an acrylic plate having various thicknesses (2 mm, 1.5 mm, 1.0 mm, and 0.5 mm) is used as the insulating plate as described above, and a detection electrode having a size of 12 mm × 12 mm is provided on the back side of the insulator. The auxiliary detection electrode having a size of 15 mm × 15 mm is arranged on the surface side of the insulator so as to be positioned so as to face the detection electrode with the insulator interposed therebetween. Then, when a commonly used contact discharge chip is used and the tip thereof is brought into point contact with the auxiliary detection electrode on the insulator surface, the capacitance CD generated between the contact discharge chip and the detection electrode is measured. did. The results are shown in Table 4.

  When nothing touches the auxiliary detection electrode, no capacitance is generated between the grounds, so very little capacitance is generated by the insulator, but a human body with a large capacitance to the ground contacts the auxiliary detection electrodes at a point. Even so, a large capacitance is generated between the detection electrode and the auxiliary detection electrode due to the high-frequency conductivity of the human body. That is, as is clear from the results shown in Table 4, a sufficiently large capacitance is generated between the contact discharge chip and the detection electrode even if the tip of the contact discharge chip is in point contact with the auxiliary detection electrode. To do. Therefore, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 described above, by providing the auxiliary detection electrode 50 on the surface of the insulating material forming portion 48 of the handle rotating portion 14, the player's finger F can be detected with high reliability. It becomes possible. Further, when the effect of the auxiliary detection electrode is used, the generated capacity is increased. On the contrary, an inexpensive electrostatic capacity sensor having low detection sensitivity can be used for human body detection.

As shown in Table 4, when the thickness of the insulator is 1 mm, for example, the generated capacity CD is 3.1 PF. In this case, the electrostatic voltage 30,000V, capacitance 500 pF, when the electrostatic discharge resistance 0Ω is applied to the auxiliary detection electrodes, approximate discharge charge Q ^{is, Q = 3.1 × 10- 12 ×} 30, 000 = 93 × 10 ⁻⁹ coulombs = 93 nanocoulombs (n coulombs), which is about 1/161 of the discharge charge of 15 μcoulomb when directly discharging to the touch electrodes of the touch sensor used in the past. It will be 0.6%. For this reason, there is no power to electrostatically destroy the electronic components used in the capacitance sensor and the control circuit. When the electrostatic discharge charge is reduced in this way, it becomes possible to sufficiently eliminate the charge only by the distributed capacity with the ground held by the wiring of the electric circuit, and for the player to eliminate the static electricity applied to the pachinko machine by discharging. A frame ground (FG) line is not required.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the present invention can be implemented in aspects other than the above-described embodiment. That is,
1) The detection of the human body is not limited to finger detection. For example, the detection electrode of the capacitance sensor is brought into contact with the inner surface of the cover 16 that covers the front surface of the handle rotating portion 14 of the handle 10 and the inner surface of the cover 16 is contacted. Alternatively, it is possible to detect the palm of the player who is placed close to and grips the handle 10,
2) Using a plurality of capacitance sensors, for example, detecting two fingers or detecting a palm and a finger, and logically processing detection signals of a plurality of human body parts It is also possible to detect that the player is operating the handle by hand,
3) When it is necessary to place importance on design even when the wiring processing cost is high, the detection electrode and the detection circuit of the capacitance sensor may be separated and connected by wiring.
4) If some inconvenience can be allowed, the detection electrode of the capacitance sensor may be mounted on the handle fixing portion.

  The present invention relates to a technology for giving a pachinko gaming machine a function of confirming by a capacitance sensor that a player is operating a handle by hand, and a handle contact detection device according to the present invention Is used in the field of manufacturing gaming machines and precision electronic components.

10 Handle 12 Handle base portion 14, 14a Handle rotating portion 16 Cover 30, 30a, 52, 70, 84a, 84b Capacitance sensor 34, 34a, 54, 90a, 90b Printed circuit board 36, 56, 92a, 92b Detection electrode 38 , 58, 86a, 86b Detection circuit 40, 94a Wiring pattern 42 Notch 42a Long hole 44, 60, 72, 88a, 88b Connector 46, 46a Guide 48 Insulation material forming part (insulator)
50 Auxiliary detection electrode 62, 74 Case 64, 82 Case cover 66 Detection surface 68 Mounting hole 94b Wiring

Claims (11)

In a handle contact detection device that detects by a capacitance sensor that a player's hand is in contact with a handle that adjusts the firing strength of a pachinko ball in a pachinko gaming machine and the handle is operated,
The detection surface portion of the capacitance sensor is disposed inside the handle so as to be close to the outer surface of the handle where a part of the player's hand contacts, and the player's hand that contacts the outer surface of the handle. An insulating material forming portion is provided so as to be interposed between a part and the detection surface portion, and static electricity generated by a player is detected by the electrostatic capacity sensor from a part of the hand through the insulating material forming portion. A handle contact detection device for a pachinko gaming machine, characterized in that the surface is discharged. 2. The handle contact detection device for a pachinko gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the capacitance sensor has a detection circuit and a detection electrode formed on a single substrate. 3. The pachinko gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the capacitance sensor is mounted on the handle rotating unit that is operated by a player's hand and rotates integrally with the hand, and rotates synchronously therewith. 4. Handle contact detection device. The pachinko gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection surface portion of the capacitance sensor is disposed at a position corresponding to a portion where a part of a player's finger contacts the handle. Handle contact detection device. A portion of the handle corresponding to the detection surface portion of the capacitance sensor, where a part of the player's finger comes into contact, is formed of an insulating material, and the position where the detection surface portion is disposed is indicated on the insulating material forming portion. The handle contact detection device for a pachinko gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein a guide for guiding the player's finger to the position is formed. The part of the handle that the player's hand contacts, grips and rotates is a component integrally formed of an insulating material, and the thickness of the part of the component where the player's hand contacts The handle contact detection device for a pachinko gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the handle contact detection device is formed thinner than other portions that require strength. The capacitance sensor is housed in a case, and the case is installed at a position corresponding to a part of the handle where a part of a player's hand contacts. A pachinko gaming machine handle contact detection device according to claim 1. The detection surface portion of the capacitance sensor is disposed in a case in which at least one wall surface is formed of an insulating material so as to contact or be close to the wall surface, and the case is attached to the player's handle. The handle contact detection device for a pachinko gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the wall surface is attached to a portion where a part of a hand comes into contact so that the wall surface forms a part of a handle outer surface. An auxiliary detection electrode made of a plate made of a conductive material is provided on the surface of the insulating material forming portion corresponding to the detection surface portion of the capacitance sensor of the handle, or on the surface of the insulating material forming portion. The handle contact detection device for a pachinko gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 8, further comprising an auxiliary detection electrode formed by applying or plating a conductive material. 10. The handle contact detection device for a pachinko gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a detection electrode of the capacitance sensor is patterned on a part of a printed circuit board on which a detection circuit is formed. 11. A notch is formed in a portion of the printed circuit board between the detection electrode of the capacitance sensor and the detection circuit, except for a wiring pattern forming portion that electrically connects the detection electrode and the detection circuit. The handle contact detection device for a pachinko gaming machine according to claim 10.

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