JP2556962B2 - Amusement machine - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a solenoid drive circuit in a game machine having an electric actuating device using a solenoid as a drive source. For example, a solenoid drive circuit as a drive source for a prize ball discharging device in a pachinko game machine. It relates to effective technology used in circuits.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a gaming machine using a game ball such as a pachinko gaming machine, when a predetermined condition is satisfied as a result of the game, a solenoid is actuated so that an operating member has a predetermined first position and a second position. By using a prize ball discharging device that discharges a predetermined number of prize balls by reciprocating between them, or a solenoid, the actuating member reciprocates between a predetermined first position and a second position. A hitting ball launching device for launching a game ball,
A game device or the like is used in which an operating member that constitutes a winning device using a solenoid is configured to reciprocate between a predetermined first position and a predetermined second position.

By using the solenoid as the drive source for driving the actuating member as described above, it is possible to realize a highly reliable gaming machine which is structurally simple, has excellent durability, and is capable of reliable operation. it can.

[0004]

[0005]

[0006]

However, when the solenoid is used as the drive source of the actuating member, the current from the coil of the solenoid is cut off at the end of actuation of the actuating member until the actuating member is actually actuated. It was revealed by repeated experiments that the delay time was long. For this reason,
It has been found that there is a problem in that it takes a long time to return the operating member, so that it is impossible to immediately shift to the next operation, or an accurate operation cannot be obtained. For example, if a solenoid is used as the drive source of the prize ball discharging device, if a large number of prize balls are generated in a short time, the discharge of the prize balls cannot catch up, and the recovery time becomes long, so it should be discharged. There is a problem that more prize balls than the number of balls are discharged.

It is an object of the present invention to demagnetize the residual magnetism of a solenoid at the end of operation in a short time to enable quick and reliable operation, and to realize control with extremely excellent responsiveness and accuracy. It is to provide a game machine provided with a circuit.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides an electric actuating device having an actuating member capable of reciprocating between a predetermined first position and a predetermined second position by a solenoid. In a gaming machine provided with a drive circuit of a drive solenoid for operating the operation member based on a predetermined condition, the drive circuit includes a switch means connected between the power supply terminals in series with the coil of the solenoid. ,
A residual magnetism forced discharge means connected in parallel with the coil is provided.

As the residual magnetism forced release means, it is preferable to use a Zener diode having a Zener voltage higher than the peak value of the power supply voltage.

Further, it is preferable that a diode reversely connected in series with the zener diode be provided in the drive circuit.

[0011]

According to the above-mentioned means, since the residual magnetic force release means acts as the forced release means of the residual magnetism accumulated in the coil of the solenoid when the current is cut off, the demagnetization time of the solenoid can be shortened, and the operating member can be demagnetized. It is possible to improve the responsiveness at the end of operation and realize a gaming machine that performs an extremely highly accurate operation. Further, when a Zener diode is used as the above-mentioned residual magnetism forced emission means, the residual magnetic force forced emission means can be constituted by one element, so that the entire drive circuit is simplified.

Further, by providing a diode reversely connected in series with the Zener diode, when the switch for controlling the current of the coil is composed of a transistor, the counter electromotive force of the coil generated when the current is cut off causes the coil It is possible to protect the transistor that switches the current.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows an example of the structure of a back mechanism of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention.

A storage tank 2 for storing spare balls is arranged above the back mechanism board 1, and a guide gutter 11 for automatically aligning and guiding the spare balls inside is connected to one end of the storage tank 2. ing. The guide gutter 11 has two passages, is gently inclined, and is provided with a pendulum-type ball seal 3 and a pressing-type ball seal 4 in the middle thereof. It is aligned in two rows while flowing down.

A stopper type prize ball discharging device 20 as an electric actuating device is provided at the lower end of the guide gutter 11.
(See FIG. 4) are provided. Pachinko machine 100
The hit balls that have won the winning opening provided in the game board on the front side (see FIG. 2) are collected on the back side and collected in one place by the collecting rack 10, and are separated one by one by the winning ball processing device 40 to win the prize. It is detected by the sphere detector 91 and as a result an ejection command signal is formed. Then, the prize ball discharging device 20 is operated only once, and a predetermined number (for example, 13) of prize balls are discharged. Separation by the winning ball processing device 40,
The detected winning balls are discharged to a collecting gutter (not shown) at the rear of the game machine through the derived gutter 12. When the prize ball discharging device 20 finishes discharging the prize ball, the winning ball processing device 40 receives the discharge completion signal and separates and detects the next winning ball.

On the other hand, the prize balls discharged by the prize ball discharging device 20 are discharged from the supply port 14 to the supply tray 101 (see FIG. 2) on the front surface of the gaming machine through the prize ball discharge trough 13. When the supply tray 101 is full, the prize balls are diverted gutter 15
Is discharged to the tray 102 below the front of the gaming machine.
When the tray 102 becomes full, it is detected by an overflow detector 92 provided in the middle of the diversion gutter 15, and for example, the driving of the hitting ball launching device 103 is stopped.

An overflow indicator 113 is provided on the front surface of the gaming machine to notify the player of an overflow condition of the tray detected by the overflow detector 92.

On the front face of the gaming machine 100, in addition to the overflow indicator 113, a prize ball lamp 111 and a storage tank 2 which are lit every time a prize ball is discharged in response to the occurrence of a prize ball are emptied. Completion lamp 11 that lights up when the number of prize balls discharged reaches a predetermined number
2, the prize ball discharging device 20 intentionally by inserting the piano wire, etc.
Malfunction warning indicator lamp 114 that is turned on or blinks when there is an illegal act that activates the ball, a ball clogging in the prize ball ejecting device, etc. Display lamp 115, prize ball number indicator 116 for displaying the number of prize balls to be paid out corresponding to one winning ball, and hitting ball launching device 10
Various display devices such as a pilot lamp 117 which is turned on while the firing motor No. 3 is driven are provided. The prize sphere number display 116 includes, for example, a transparent plate on which three types of prize spheres are described, and three transparent plates disposed behind the transparent plate.
The display is performed by selectively illuminating a lamp corresponding to the number of prize balls set by a setting device (described later).

Reference numeral 105 designates an out hole for collecting, in the back of the game board, those hit balls which have not been won in the winning opening among the hit balls hit on the game board, and 93 is a reserve ball in the storage tank 2, It is a sphere shortage detector for detecting this.

Below the prize ball discharge device 20, a ball drop gutter 16 is provided in parallel with the prize ball discharge gutter 13, and at the entrance of the ball drop gutter 16, that is, a branch point with the prize ball discharge gutter 13. Is provided with a ball removing device 60 having a switching gate. The ball-removing device 60 can operate the switching gate by inserting a tool such as a pin or a wire through an operation hole 106 formed on the front surface of the holding frame 104 of the gaming machine. When the switching gate is switched to the side of the ball removing gutter 16, the ball removing switch 84 is turned on.

In a conventional pachinko gaming machine using a ball-sheath case, a ball removing gate is arranged upstream of the prize ball discharging device 20, so that the ball remains in the middle even if the ball is removed. However, in this embodiment, since the ball removing device 60 is located on the downstream side of the prize ball discharging device 20, all balls can be removed and the data of the pachinko parlor can be accurately collected.

The lower end of the ball removing gutter 16 is joined with an out ball guiding gutter 17 that guides the out balls collected from the out hole 105, and becomes a collecting gutter (not shown) disposed below the island facility of the game store. It is designed to flow out the collected balls toward it.

Further, the back mechanism board 1 is used to electrically control the entire pachinko gaming machine, such as stopping the firing of hit balls according to detection signals from the prize ball discharging device 20 and the overflow detector 92 and driving various display devices. There is provided a game content control device 210 for controlling the game operation based on signals from detectors incorporated in the control device 200 and various variable winning devices on the front of the game board, variable display type auxiliary game device, and the like. .

In the field of pachinko game machines, in order to prevent a player from leaving due to monotonous game contents, a game board having a different game content or a different design is replaced, but in that case as well. Except for the board, the pachinko machine main body and the back mechanism board are almost the same. However, it is very uneconomical to replace such an invariant part together with the game board before reaching the end of its life.

In the above embodiment, when the game board is replaced, only the game board and its game content control device 210 need to be replaced. That is, the game content control device 2
10 is fixed to the back surface of a removable game board, and the prize ball discharge device 20, the prize ball processing device 40, and their control devices 200 are used for the spare ball storage tank 2 and various guide gutters 10 to 10.
It is fixed to the back mechanism board 1 integrated with the gaming machine body together with 17. Therefore, even when the game board is replaced, most of the main body and the back mechanism board can be left as they are and can be continuously used, which is very economical.

On the outer surface of the control device 200, in order to set the number of discharged balls in one discharging operation in the prize ball discharging device 20, a prize ball number setting device 8 including a dip switch or the like.
1, 82 are attached. Further, a manual switch (hereinafter referred to as a memory discharge switch) is provided on the upper part of the back mechanism board 1 for discharging the prize balls on the collecting rack 10 without operating the prize ball discharging device 20 at the time of hitting or at the time of failure. 83 is provided. That is, the memory discharge switch 83 gives a pseudo discharge end signal instead of the discharge sensor 25 in the prize ball discharge device 20 described later.

FIG. 3 shows a storage tank 2 for the spare balls and a guide gutter 1.
1 and the structure of the prize ball discharge device 20 and the connection state thereof.

The storage tank 2 is mounted so as to be placed in a storage recess formed in the upper part of the back mechanism board 1. Although not shown, an opening is formed at one end (the left end in the drawing) of the bottom wall of the storage tank 2, and the guide gutter 1 is provided so as to face this opening.
1 is attached. A tread plate is rotatably arranged on the bottom wall of the guide gutter 11, and the tread plate rises when the reserve ball is exhausted in the storage tank 2. The ball shortage detector 93 detects this and forms a ball replenishment request signal.

A flow dividing wall 11a is provided in the middle of the guide gutter 11 to separate and align the falling balls into two lines. The ball seal 3 is hung down by a pin 3a on a support portion 11b formed on the upper part of the guide gutter 11 so that the balls falling vertically on the guide gutter 11 are broken and aligned. Sphere oak 4
Is rotatably supported by pins 4b on support pieces 4a fixed to both sides of the guide gutter 11 to prevent overlapping of balls flowing down on the guide gutter 11.

Further, in the middle of the guide gutter 11, preferably immediately before the prize ball discharging device 20, there is provided a flow-down control member 7 rotatable about the pin 4b as a fulcrum. The tip bent piece of the flow-down control member 7 is divided into two pieces, and when the bent pieces 7c and 7d are rotated as shown by the broken line a in the figure, the bent pieces 7c and 7d correspond to the two guide paths and are guided by the guide gutter 11. Slot 1 formed in the upper wall of
By entering into 1c and 11d, it is possible to prevent the ball from flowing down in the guide gutter 11 and manually stop the supply to the prize ball discharging device 20.

As a result, the maintenance and inspection of the prize ball discharging device 20 and the replacement work in case of failure can be easily performed.

An operation piece 7b is provided on one side of the downflow control member 7 so as to project laterally so that the downflow control member 7 can be easily rotated manually. Further, a spring 9 is stretched between the operation piece 7b and the pin 8 provided on the side wall of the guide gutter 11 so that the state of the flow-down control member 7 can be stably maintained.

At the lower end of the guide gutter 11 is provided a prize ball discharging device 20 integrally having a flow-down path 30. In this case, a locking piece 11e is provided on the side of the gutter at the lower end of the guide gutter 11, and the flow path 3 on the prize ball discharging device side is provided.
Guide pieces 30a protruding forward to the upper and lower parts of the 0 start end
Is provided, and the guide trough 11 and the downflow path 30 can be connected by the guide piece 30a and the locking piece 11e.

4 to 6 show details of the prize ball discharging device 20. The prize ball discharging device 20 includes a downflow path 30, a downflow prevention member 22 as an operating member that enters the downflow path 30 to control the downflow of a ball, and a solenoid 21 as a driving means thereof.

The downflow path 30 includes a gently inclined alignment gutter 31, a flow adjustment gutter 33 extending substantially vertically downward from a flow lower end of the alignment gutter 31, an alignment gutter 31 and a flow adjustment gutter 33.
An adjusting part 32 for changing the direction of a flowing ball in a direction of about 90 degrees at a connection part of the flow path, a guiding gutter 34 extending obliquely downward from the lower end of the flow controlling gutter 33 by about 45 degrees, and a guiding gutter. A discharge gutter 35 extends substantially vertically downward from the terminal end of the discharge gutter 34. In the vicinity of the boundary between the guide gutter 34 and the discharge gutter 35, a pair of support pieces 3 is formed from the outer wall of the downflow path 30.
6 is projected, and the support shaft 24 is horizontally mounted between the support pieces 36.

Further, the downflow path 30 is formed in two rows corresponding to the guide troughs 11, and a pair of fan-shaped downflow prevention members 22 corresponding to the two downflow paths 30 are centered around the support shaft 24. It is rotatably attached. Downflow prevention member 22
A pair of solenoids 21 is provided corresponding to the above.

The tip of the flow-down prevention member 22 enters through a slit provided in the inner wall of the flow-down path 30 and projects into the guide gutter 34. The front end rear portion of the flow-down prevention member 22 is connected to the front end portion of the plunger 21a of the solenoid 21 via a link member 23. As the plunger 21a expands and contracts, the flow-down prevention member 22 moves around the support shaft 24. It is configured to be reciprocally rotated, and the tip end portion thereof enters and retracts into the guide trough 34. As a result, the flow of the balls is allowed or blocked, and a predetermined number of discharges are performed.

Further, the side wall of the guide trough 34 is bulged to the outside to form a storage portion 37, and the discharge ball detector 25, which is a transmissive optical sensor, is inserted into the storage portion 37.

Above the solenoid 21, the lead wires drawn from the solenoid 21 and the discharge ball detector 25 are concentrated at one location, and the control device 200 is provided.
A connector 26 is provided so that the wiring for connection with can be collectively connected from the front. Then, the lower end of the flow-down path 30 is engaged with the engaging portion 13a formed at the starting end of the prize ball outlet gutter 13 for connection.

Further, the alignment gutter 3 at the entrance of the downflow path 30.
As shown in FIG. 5, a conductive sheet 38 such as a metal plate is attached to the bottom surface of the sheet 1, and one end of the conductive sheet 38 is grounded to a frame or the like. As a result, the static electricity charged in the falling ball can be released, and the discharge ball detector 25 can be prevented from electrostatic damage. In other words, it is possible to use a mechanical device such as a micro switch as the detector, but the micro switch has a slow recovery action, so if the sphere continuously flows down, it may remain on. It is also easy to cause chattering. In addition, contact failure is likely to occur due to long-term use. Therefore, the micro switch is not suitable as a detector for detecting continuous spheres like a prize ball discharging device. Therefore, in the above embodiment, an optical sensor is used as the discharged ball detector 25.

However, since the optical sensor is formed of an IC, it is vulnerable to static electricity, and while the discharge ball flows down in the guide trough 11, it is charged with static electricity due to friction with the trough, and this static electricity causes the sensor to malfunction. There is an inconvenience that it becomes easy to operate. In the above embodiment, the inconvenience is avoided by discharging the conductive sheet 38 attached to the bottom of the alignment gutter 31. Further, by selecting the material of the conductive sheet 38, the frictional force between the ball and the gutter can be reduced, and the flow of the ball can be made smooth.

Further, as shown in FIG. 3, slits 31a and 33 are provided on the upper wall of the flow straightening trough 31 and the outer wall of the flow regulating trough 33 which constitute the flow-down path of the prize ball discharging device 20, respectively.
a is provided. As a result, foreign matter or the like enters the downflow path to cause a ball clogging in the prize ball discharging device 20,
If the smooth flow is obstructed, this slit 3
Maintenance can be facilitated by inserting a tool such as a pin from 1a or 33a to remove foreign matter. A lid member 39 having a stepped portion 39a having substantially the same size as the slit is engaged with the slits 31a and 33a, and fixed to a screw or the like so as to be closed.

Next, the downflow path 30 constructed as described above.
The operation of the flow control device 20 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

In the prize ball discharging device 20, the pachinko balls B aligned in the downflow path 30 are the most advanced when the downflow blocking member 22 enters the guideway 34 as shown by the solid line in FIG. The ball B ₁ is stopped by coming into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the flow-down prevention member 22. At this time, two balls B ₁ and B ₂ are housed in the guiding trough 34, and _three balls B ₃ , B ₄ , and B ₅ are housed in the adjusting trough 33. The dimensions of the flow control gutter 33 are determined. Moreover, the adjusting gutter 3
The uppermost sphere B _{5 in 3} is the spheres B ₆ , B ₇ in the alignment gutter 31.
.. so that it comes into contact with the tapered adjustment portion 32. By being pressed toward the adjusting portion 32, the ball B ₅ receives a repulsive force from the adjusting portion 32, and the repulsive force is transmitted to the ball B ₅ and the balls B ₄ , B ₃ ... It works to push it down. As a result, when the flow-down prevention member 22 is retracted from inside the guide gutter 34 as shown by the broken line C in FIG. 6, the flow control gutter 33 and the guide gutter 34 due to the repulsive force from the adjusting portion 32 and the weight of the ball.
The inner spheres B _{1 to} B ₅ start to flow down quickly.

When the balls B _{1 to} B ₅ flow down, the balls B ₆ , B ₇ ... In the alignment gutter 31 subsequently start to flow down. Then, at the exit of the alignment gutter 31, first, it collides with the adjusting part 32 to reduce the downflow speed, and the downflow direction is converted from the horizontal direction to the vertical direction by approximately 90 °, and then enters the flow adjusting part 33. Since the vehicle is accelerated by its own weight there, a space between the ball and the subsequent ball decelerated by the adjusting unit 32 is secured. Therefore, for example, when the solenoid 21 is demagnetized at the time when the ball B ₇ is detected, even if there is a delay in the operation of the downflow prevention member 22, the downflow can be blocked before the ball B ₇ passes. By increasing the distance between the balls in this way, it becomes easy to control the downflow prevention member. However, B ₇
Is detected, and when the solenoid 21 is turned off, six prize balls are discharged.

Further, in the downflow path 30, the center 0 ₅ of the sphere B ₅ located at the uppermost position of the diversion gutter 32 is aligned with the alignment gutter 31 in a state where the downflow of the sphere is blocked by the downflow prevention member 22.
Centers of spheres B ₆ , B ₇ ... aligned in the interior 0 ₆ , 0 ₇ ...
・ Be positioned below the extension of the center line connecting
The dimensions of the guide gutter 34 and the diversion gutter 33 are determined.
Therefore, the pressure transmitted from the waiting balls B ₆ , B ₇ ... To B ₅ produces a component force that pushes down the ball B ₅ . As a result, when the downflow prevention member 22 retracts, the diversion gutter 3
3 The uppermost ball B _{5 and the} following ball B ₆ and the outer wall 3 of the diversion gutter 33
Sandwiched between 3a, it is not impeded from attempting to flow down to follow the stream of ball B ₁ ~B _4.

The discharge ball detector 25 provided in the middle of the guide trough 34 is arranged so that its detection optical axis F is located slightly off the center of the sphere flowing down in the trough. When the detection optical axis F is positioned so as to pass through the center of the sphere, when a plurality of spheres continuously flow down, the pulse interval of the detection signal becomes narrow and accurate counting may not be possible. . However, in this embodiment, as described above, by shifting the detection optical axis F from the center of the sphere, accurate counting becomes possible.

Further, the downflow prevention member 22 is attached so that the rotation surface of the fan-shaped downflow prevention member 22 coincides with the downflow locus of the center of the downflowing sphere, and is introduced into the trough from the upper side to the lower side of the guide trough 34. It is moved to enter and stops the falling ball. Therefore, the impact force acting on the downflow blocking member 22 when the falling ball is stopped is received by the stopper portion (for example, the slit end of the guide trough 34 into which the downflow blocking member 22 enters) that limits the rotation range of the downflow blocking member 22. Therefore, it is possible to easily give strength enough to withstand the impact that acts at the time of stop.

Moreover, since the sphere B _{1 at the} lowermost end comes into contact with the outer peripheral surface of the fan-shaped flow-down prevention member 22 and is stopped, the sphere B _{1 at the} lowest end is the outer peripheral surface of the flow-down prevention member 22 and the wall surface of the guide trough 34. Even if it is stopped in such a manner as to bite in between, the sphere B ₁ is separated while rotating the sphere B ₁ on its outer peripheral surface when the downflow preventing member 22 is retracted. Therefore, the downflow blocking member 22 can be retracted with a comparatively small force, and the ball is not caught between the downflow blocking member 22 and the wall surface of the guide gutter 34 and does not get stuck.

Further, the line connecting the center of rotation of the flow-down prevention member 22 and the center 0 ₁ of the lowermost sphere B ₁ in the guide trough 34 is arranged to be horizontal. Therefore, immediately ball B ₁ is enabled under a stream when the end of the falling-blocking member 22 is disengaged from the outer periphery of the ball B _1, the ball B along with the rotation of the flow-down preventing member 22
_The blocking force is released after ₁ has slipped down a little, and it does not start flowing down.

Further, in the above embodiment, the angle α formed between the diversion gutter 33 and the guide gutter 34 may be in the range of 0 to 90 °, but if it is set to about 45 °, the inside of the diversion gutter 33 is set. It is possible to reduce the load applied to the downflow prevention member 22 at the time of stopping without greatly reducing the speed of the accelerated downflow ball.

Further, in the above embodiment, the flow-down prevention member 2
In the state where the flow of the sphere is blocked by 2, the vertical line G passing through the point separated by the diameter of the sphere from the contact point between the flow-down prevention member 22 and the sphere B _{1 at} the lowermost end in the guide trough 34 Gutter 3
The distance d from the wall surface 35a of 5 is smaller than the radius r of the sphere,
And becomes larger than r-rcosα (r-rcosα
The position of the terminal end 34a of the guide gutter 34 is determined as <d <r). Thereby, when the downflow prevention member 22 enters the guide gutter 34 to prevent the ball from flowing down, when the ball to be discharged last is pushed out by the end face 22a of the downflow prevention member 22 and discharged. The terminal 34a of the guide gutter 34
When it reaches the discharge gutter 35, it can flow down into the discharge gutter 35 and escape from the flow-down preventing member 22. Therefore, the final discharge ball remains in the guide gutter 35 indefinitely, and does not hinder the entry of the flow-down prevention member 22, so that quick discharge can be stopped.

FIG. 7 shows details of an embodiment of the winning ball processing apparatus 40.

Collecting shelf 10 provided on the back surface of the back mechanism board 1
Is inclined downward toward the center, and the flow path conversion unit 10 is located at the center.
C is provided. The flow path conversion unit 10C includes a vertical wall 10a that creates a step between the left and right collecting shelves 10A and 10B.
A guide piece 10b fixed to the vertical wall 10a and having a front end formed in an arc shape so as to change the direction of the winning balls flowing down from the right-side collecting rack 10A, and the guide piece 1
It is constituted by a taper portion 10c formed so as to gently incline forward at the terminal end portion of the collecting shelf 10A below 0b.

Corresponding to the flow path converting section 10C, an inflow port 41a through which one sphere can pass is formed in a holding frame 41 integrated with a panel attached so as to cover the collecting shelf 10.
An L-shaped winning ball guide plate 42 is provided along one side and the lower side of the inflow port 41a, and the winning ball that has flowed in is turned 90 degrees.

A ball processor 43 is swingably attached by a support shaft 44 so as to be located on the side of the winning ball guide plate 42. Top entry ball guide plate 4 on this ball processor 43
A concave ball receiving portion 43a is formed on the side facing 2 and a weight 45 is attached to the opposite side, and the attachment side of the weight 45 is lowered by its weight in a normal state. .

Then, the lower side of the ball receiving portion 43a on the opposite side comes into contact with the lower surface of the winning ball guide plate 42 to prevent further rotation, and the balance is maintained. In this state, as shown in FIG. 8A, from the winning ball guide plate 42 to the ball receiving portion 43a.
The weight of the weight 45 is determined such that when the winning sphere flows down, the sphere processor 43 rotates clockwise due to the weight of the sphere. The sphere processor 43 rotated by the weight of the inflowing sphere is stopped when its lower side comes into contact with the holding frame 41.

In the ball processor 43, a blocking piece 43b is provided so as to project at a position facing the winning ball guide plate 42 in this stopped state. As a result, when two or more winning balls are generated consecutively, the second and subsequent winning balls are prevented from flowing down by the blocking pieces 43b as shown in FIG. It is made to wait. Although the mounting position is not limited, for example, a detection piece 43c is provided on the upper part of the sphere processing device 43, and a pair of a light emitter and a light receiver are provided in the holding frame 41 corresponding to the detection piece 43c. A safe sensor 91 such as an optical sensor arranged opposite to each other is attached.

Further, a solenoid 46 is provided on the side of the ball processing device 43, and on the lower side of the ball receiving part of the ball processing device 43 rotated by the winning ball flowing into the ball receiving part 43a. A stopper 47 fixed to the tip of the plunger 46a of the solenoid 46 faces the facing position. In the demagnetized state, a stopper 47 at the tip of the plunger of the solenoid 46 is pulled downward by a spring 48, is held by a ball receiving portion 43a, and abuts on a winning ball that is about to flow down toward the winning ball lead-out trough 12 below. To prevent the flow-down (see FIG. 8B).

When the solenoid 46 is excited, the plunger 46a contracts, the stopper 47 is raised, and the winning ball held in the ball receiving portion 43a flows down toward the outflow trough 12. The stopper 47 has an operation piece 47.
a is provided so as to allow a staff member of a pachinko parlor to manually move the stopper 47 to discharge the winning ball in the event of a ball jam, a solenoid malfunction, or the like.

The solenoid 46 is, for example, the prize ball discharging device 2
The discharge completion signal at 0 is activated. When the solenoid 46 is excited and the winning ball flows down, the ball processor 43 is rotated counterclockwise by the weight of the weight 45, and the blocking piece 43b rises. Therefore, the next winning balls that are continuously generated and kept waiting on the winning ball guide plate 42 flow into the ball receiving portion 43a, and the ball processing device 43 is rotated again in the clockwise direction. In this way,
By repeating the above operation, a large number of winning balls generated in a short time can be promptly separated and detected and processed.

As described above, when the prize ball discharging device 20 is a stopper type device that controls the discharge of the prize ball by causing the downflow prevention member 22 to enter or retract into the downflow path 30 by the solenoid 46 It is also possible to perform high-speed discharge control by simply attaching a safe sensor 91 in the middle of the winning ball deriving gutter 12 to detect the winning ball and electrically storing it.

On the other hand, in the winning ball processing apparatus 40 of the above-described embodiment, since the winning balls are separated and detected by the ball processing unit 43, the detection interval between the previous winning ball and the next winning ball is detected. Necessary and sufficient. Therefore, it is possible to more accurately detect the winning balls successively generated.

Even in the conventional game machine using the ball-sheath case prize ball discharging device, the prize balls are controlled by separating the prize balls one by one. However, in the conventional prize ball processing device, By moving the lever with the separated winning ball, the stopper of the ball sheath case is removed by that movement to tilt and eject it, and further the tilt of the ball sheath case is physically transmitted to the ball processor, and the next prize ball Since the flow-down is allowed, the response speed is slower than that of the winning ball processing apparatus 40 of the above embodiment, and it is not suitable for processing a large number of winning balls generated in a short time.

In the winning ball processing device 40 of the above embodiment, after confirming the end of the discharge in the prize ball discharging device 20, the solenoid 46 is operated to discharge the previous winning ball and detect the next winning ball. Since you can control to go forward, like a prize ball is generated but a prize ball is not paid out,
It is possible to prevent troubles that occur between the player and the game store. In other words, if the prize balls are not discharged, the prize balls are left at the stopper, and it is immediately apparent whether the player's claim is correct or not by looking there. Moreover, because the winning balls and the prize balls are discharged in a one-to-one relationship, the processing of the winning balls is interrupted while the discharging is stopped, and the winning balls that have not been discharged are put on standby. Is unnecessary.
In other words, if the prize balls are detected in advance and stored electrically in a memory or a counter, it is necessary to take measures against power failure such as backup with a battery in order to prevent the memory number from being lost in the event of a power failure. Use of the winning ball processing device 40 of the above embodiment eliminates the need.

Further, in the above embodiment, since the winning ball is detected by the indirect method of detecting the rotation of the ball processor 43, the safe sensor 91 may malfunction due to the static electricity charged on the pachinko ball. To be prevented. In other words, in the case of the above embodiment, it is possible to directly detect the winning ball by allowing the sensor 91 to face the passage of the winning ball. However, in this case, the sensor malfunctions due to static electricity charged on the winning ball. However, the indirect detection can prevent the malfunction of the sensor.

In the above embodiment, the winning ball processing apparatus is constructed as shown in FIG.
A is given a tilt angle α of 6 to 8 °, and the left collecting rack 10B is given a tilt angle β of 14 to 16 ° to give the speed of the winning balls flowing down the left and right collecting racks 10A and 10B. The height h of the vertical wall 10a is set to 12 m while making it different.
It is set to m or more. As a result, even if a plurality of winning balls are generated and the winning balls flow down from the left and right simultaneously, it is possible to prevent the clogging of the balls in the flow path converting unit 10C.

Next, an embodiment of a control device 200 for controlling the prize ball discharge device 20 to discharge a predetermined number of prize balls and control the hit ball launching device 103 and the like will be described with reference to FIG.

In this embodiment, control of the prize ball discharging device 20 and the like is performed by using a CPU (microcomputer) 200 '.

To the CPU 200 ', the award ball number setting devices 81, 82, the memory discharge switch 83, the ball removing switch 84, the safe sensor 91, the overflow detector 92, and the ball shortage detector 93 in the above embodiment are input. By providing the prize ball number setting devices 81 and 82, models (pachinko machines) having different numbers of prize balls can be controlled.

The CPU 200 'also receives a discharge ball detection signal from a pair of discharge ball detectors (hereinafter referred to as discharge sensors) 25 provided in the flow path 30 of the prize ball discharge device 20. It is like this.

Further, a stop command signal is input to the CPU 200 'from a centralized management device of a game store (not shown).

The CPU 200 'has a ROM 201, which is a read-only memory, and a RAM 202, which is a memory that can be read and written at any time. Of these, ROM
201 is a C for controlling the prize ball discharging device 20 and the like.
A program to be executed by the PU 200 ′ and fixed data such as a drive time per one time of the safe solenoid 46 and a wait time (discharge interval) are stored.

On the other hand, the RAM 202 is used for the discharge sensor 2
A memory area for storing the cumulative number of balls discharged from each downflow route 30 based on the discharged ball detection signal from 5, and the number of discharged balls for each downflow route are set, and a register area and a discharge forming a soft timer It provides an illegal counter that counts the detection signal from the discharge sensor when the solenoid is off.

Further, the CPU 200 'has a driver 2
A pair of solenoids (hereinafter referred to as “discharging solenoids”) 21 in the prize ball discharging device 20, solenoids (hereinafter referred to as “safe solenoids”) 46 in the winning ball processing device 40, a prize ball lamp 111, and a completion lamp via the 20. 11
2, overflow lamp 113, fraud warning display lamp 114, malfunction indicator lamp 115, prize ball number indicator 11
6, a display device such as a pilot lamp 117 (see FIG. 2 for all), a speaker 120, a hitting ball launching device 103, etc. are connected. The CPU 200 'drives the prize ball discharging device 20, various display lamps, the ball hitting device 103, etc. based on signals from the setting device, various detectors, and switches in accordance with the program in the ROM 201.

The main processing of the CPU 200 'is overflow processing, tank processing, ball removal processing, winning ball detection processing, and prize ball discharging processing. However, the procedure of the process is not limited to the above order, and any process may be performed first. The pachinko gaming machine is controlled by repeatedly executing the above processing by a timer interrupt or the like.

Here, in the overflow processing, the detection signal from the overflow detector 92 is detected and, for example,
The overflow lamp 113 is turned on for a predetermined time (10 to 20
Second) Turn on or blink, and if the overflow state is not yet released, stop the firing operation of the hit ball firing device 103. As a result, it is possible to avoid that the inside of the prize ball derivation trough 13 is filled with the prize balls up to the vicinity of the prize ball discharging device 20 and the discharge operation is adversely affected.

In the tank processing, when it is detected that the storage tank 2 is empty and the ball shortage detector 93 is turned off, for example, a ball supply request is sent to the central control room and the completion lamp 112 is turned on. At the same time or thereafter, when the ballless state is detected based on the signal of the discharge sensor 25 in the prize ball discharging device 20, the hitting ball launching device 103 is stopped. When the ball replenishment request signal is sent to the central control room, a replenishing device (not shown) above the tank is operated by a command from the central control room to replenish the storage tank 2. In this embodiment, the discharge of the prize ball is not immediately restarted even if the state of the ball in the tank is detected by the signal from the ball shortage detector 93, and a delay time td of, for example, 2 seconds elapses as shown in FIG. Waiting for it to resume. The delay time is included in consideration of the time difference between the time when the tank is replenished and the time when the guide gutter 11 is filled with the spare balls, and thus the empty discharge in the prize ball discharging device 20 is prevented.

In the ball removal process, the signal from the ball removal switch 84 indicates that the switching gate of the ball removal device 60 is switched to the direction of opening the entrance of the ball removal trough 16 and closing the entrance of the prize ball derivation trough 13. When it is detected based on the above, the solenoid 21 in the prize ball discharging device 20 is operated to continuously discharge the reserve balls through the two flow paths 30 and the storage tank 2 is emptied.

The winning ball detecting process and the prize ball discharging device 20 are
Since they are related to each other and become complicated, FIG. 11 shows a detailed processing procedure, which will be described below.

When the process is started by turning on the power or the occurrence of an interrupt, first, before detecting a winning ball, after initializing a safe memory for storing the number of winning balls and various registers (routine R1), The number of discharged balls (hereinafter, referred to as the number of discharged bases) is determined once for each downflow path in the ball discharging device 20 (routine R2).

The gaming machine 100 of the above embodiment is provided with prize ball number setters 81 and 82 which are dip switches for setting the number of discharged balls. Therefore, the CPU 20
0'determines the number of discharge bases 1 and 2 according to the combination of the ON and OFF states of these switches 81 and 82, for example, and determines the total prize ball count on the display 116 on the front of the gaming machine 100. To display. Here, as an example, the case where the total number of prize balls is set to 11, 13, or 15 is shown.

[0083]

[Table 1]

In the above [Table 1], the discharge solenoid 1 side refers to a solenoid provided on a path closer to the mounting substrate in the two flow paths, and in the above [Table 1], the discharge solenoid 1 side. It is determined that the number of discharged bases is always larger than that on the side of the discharge solenoid 2. The relationship is set in such a manner that when the flow-down path is two, the flow of the spheres flowing down from the storage tank 2 through the guide trough 11 toward the prize ball discharge device 20 is close to the substrate. This is because it has been experimentally clarified that the downflow route is smoother and that the distant side always tends to run out of balls. Therefore, by constantly increasing the number of discharge bases on the side of the discharge solenoid 1 as shown in [Table 1], it becomes possible to balance the supply of the balls to the two downward flow paths.

When the prize ball discharging device 20 shown in FIG. 3 discharges the set n prize balls, the downflow prevention member 22 is provided downstream of the mounting position of the discharge sensor 25.
Ejection sensor 25
Will wait for the next discharge command while detecting the previous ball. Therefore, in the actual control, it is necessary to change the control signal for the solenoid 21 that operates the downflow prevention member 22 at the time when the discharge sensor detects the (n-1) th sphere that is "1" less than the set number n. is there.

When the discharge base number setting processing (routine R2) is completed, the idle time of 2 seconds is awaited (routine R3), and the routine proceeds to the next routine, where it is determined whether or not the safe sensor is on for a certain period of time. R4). Here, if it is determined to be no (no), it is determined at the next routine R5 whether or not the output of the safe sensor has risen, and if it is no, the routine directly proceeds to routine R7. On the other hand, if YES in any of the routines R4 and R5, that is, there is a safe ball, the routine proceeds to R6 and C
The storage of the safe memory in PU is increased by "1", and then the routine proceeds to the routine R7.

In the routine R7, it is judged whether or not the number in the register in which the process number is stored is "1", and if the result is YES, the process jumps to the discharge ball detection process indicated by the symbol A.
Since the process number register has been reset to "0" by the initial setting in the routine R1, the first determination in the routine R7 is NO, and the routine proceeds to the next routine R8. Here, it is determined whether or not the number in the process number register is "2", and if the result is YES, the process jumps to the post-process indicated by the symbol B. However, the first determination is NO as in the routine R7. Then, the process proceeds to the fraud detection process of the routine R9.

FIG. 12 shows an example of a specific procedure of the fraud detection process. In this process, it is first determined whether or not there is a rising edge of the output signal of the discharge sensor 1 (routine R91). If YES, that is, if there is a rising edge, the routine proceeds to routine R92 and the illegal counter 1
After adding "1" to, it is determined in the next routine R93 whether or not the value of this illegal counter exceeds 2. If the above routines R91 and R93 respectively determine NO, the routine R
The program proceeds to 94 where it is determined whether or not there is a rising edge of the output signal of the discharge sensor 2. If YES, that is, if there is a rising edge, the routine proceeds to the routine R95 to add "1" to the illegal counter 2 and then to the next routine R.
At 96, it is determined whether or not the value of the illegal counter 2 exceeds 2.

If either of the routines R93 and R96 determines YES, the routine shifts to the routine R97. That is, the fact that the value of one of the fraud counters 1 or 2 exceeds “2” means that there is a discharge ball even though the discharge solenoid is off, that is, the stopper of the prize ball discharge device 20 is illegally removed. It is either one of the following: the discharge solenoid 1 has broken down and the stopper has come off. This is because, in the normal state, when the discharge solenoid 1 is turned on as described later (routine R14), the process number is changed to "1" in the routine R15 and then the routine R
This is because the procedure returns to step 5 and the routine R7 shifts to the prize ball discharge processing A, and in that case, the illegal counters 1 and 2 are not counted up to 2 or more.

Therefore, if YES is determined in either routine R93 or R96, the routine proceeds to routine R97 to stop the motor for firing a ball and then turn on the injustice warning display lamp 114 (routine R98). A warning sound is generated by the speaker 120, and the process ends (routine R99). If a staff member of the game shop inspects the solenoid 21 of the prize ball discharging device 20 by looking at the fraud warning display, it is possible to easily determine whether the fraudulent operation or the solenoid 21 has failed.

If either of the routines R91 or R93 determines NO, the routine proceeds to the routine R94, and if the routine R94 or R96 determines NO, the routine proceeds to the routine R10.

In the routine R10, it is determined whether or not the memory of the safe memory is "0", that is, no, that is, the winning memory is "0".
If so, the routine returns to the above routine R5. Then, after the winning memory is incremented in the routine R6, the routine R is
When it comes to 10, it is judged as yes, and the routine R1
The process shifts to a series of processes 1 to R15.

That is, if the winning memory is stored, the safe lamp (prize ball lamp 111) is first turned on in the routine R11, and the discharge register 1 is loaded into the routine R in the routine R12.
The discharge base number 1 determined in step 2 (see Table 1) is loaded into the discharge register 2 in routine R13. Then, the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 are turned on in routine R14, "1" is set in the process number register in routine R15, and the routine returns to routine R5. Then, the above-mentioned processing is repeated again, but since the processing number register is set to "1" this time, the routine R7 makes a determination of YES and jumps to the discharge ball detection processing A.

In this discharge ball detection processing A, it is first determined whether or not the output of the discharge sensor 1 has risen (routine R
2) If NO, the routine directly proceeds to routine R25, and it is determined whether or not the output of the discharge sensor 2 has risen. Then, when the rise of the sensor output is detected in the routine R21, the routine proceeds to the routine R22, where the content of the discharge register is subtracted by "1", and then the value of the discharge register is set to "0" in the next routine R23. Determine whether or not Here, if it is determined to be yes, the discharge solenoid is turned off (R24), but immediately after the discharge is started, it is determined to be no in routine R23, and the routine proceeds to routine R25.

In routines R25 to R28, with respect to the discharge system 2, the processing relating to the discharge system 1 (routines R21 to R2
After performing the same processing as 4), the routine proceeds to routine R29. In the routine R29, it is determined whether or not the sum of the values of the discharge registers 1 and 2 is "0". If the sum is not "0", that is, the routine is returned to the routine R5 and the above procedure is repeated. If it is determined in the routine R29 that YES, that is, the prize ball discharging device 20 has finished discharging the predetermined number of prize balls, the routine proceeds to the routine R31, and the safe solenoid is first turned on.

As a result, the winning ball processing device 40 can take in the next winning ball. After the safe solenoid 46 is turned on, a timer for safe solenoid (for example, 100 ms) is set in routine R32, and a timer for wait time (for example, 600 ms) is set in routine R33.
Set each. Then, after resetting the illegal counters 1 and 2 to zero in the routine R34, the contents of the processing number register are changed to "2" in the routine R35,
Return to routine R5.

Then, from the routine R7 to the post-processing B,
Jump to, first, in routine R41, it is judged whether or not the safe timer has timed out, and if no, it remains as it is, and if yes, the safe solenoid is turned off (routine R4
The routine proceeds from 2) to the routine R43. In the routine R43, it is determined whether or not the wait timer has timed out. If the result is NO, the routine returns to the routine R5 and the above processes are repeated again. If the result is YES in the routine R44, the winning memory in the safe memory is decremented by "1". The processing number register is reset to "0" and the routine returns to the routine R5 (routine R45).

FIG. 13 shows the timing of various signals when the winning ball process and the prize ball discharging process are executed according to the above procedure.

That is, in response to the rise of the output of the safe sensor, the winning memory of the safe memory becomes "1", the safe lamp is turned on, and the discharge solenoids 1 and 2 are turned on. Then, the discharge of the prize ball is started, the output of the discharge sensors 1 and 2 changes for each discharge ball, and when a predetermined number (base-1 in Table 1) is reached, a demagnetization command of the solenoid is issued. And the safe lamp is turned off. At the same time, the safe solenoid is turned on for about 100 msec and the winning ball is discharged, so that the next winning ball can be accepted. On the other hand, the discharge wait timer is turned on at the same time when the safe solenoid is turned on, and the start of the discharge of the next prize ball is delayed until the time is up (600 ms).

Safe solenoid timer set time is 1
Since it is set to 00 ms, the safe solenoid 4
The stopper 47 driven by 6 is raised for 100 ms, the winning balls blocked by the stopper 47 are reliably discharged, and the winning ball that has flown into the winning ball processing device 40 is ready to wait. Can be quickly transferred to.

The set time of the discharge wait timer is 6
Since it is set to 00 ms, the guide gutter 1 after the discharge is completed
The state of the sphere in 1 can be stabilized before proceeding to the next discharge, and the accuracy of discharge is guaranteed.

Further, the pachinko gaming machine 10 of the above embodiment.
In No. 0, a special device is added to the drive circuit of the discharge solenoid 21 in the prize ball discharge device 20. That is, as shown in FIG. 14, various display lamps L and the discharge solenoid 2 connected between the power supply voltage terminal VA and the ground point.
1, safe solenoid 46 is adapted to be driven by the connected switch transistors Tr _1, Tr _2, on-off Tr ₃ or the like in their series, in the above embodiment, the discharge solenoid In parallel with 21,
A Zener diode Dz having a Zener voltage such as 24 V higher than the peak value of the power supply voltage is connected.

Therefore, AC2 is applied to the power supply voltage terminal VA.
When a voltage obtained by full-wave rectifying an alternating current of 4 V is applied and the transistor Tr ₂ is turned off, it usually takes time t ₁ until the solenoid is completely demagnetized as shown in FIG. If the Zener diode Dz is connected in parallel with the solenoid coil, this acts as a means for forcibly releasing energy, and the demagnetization time of the solenoid is shortened. That is, the time t _{2 at} which the areas S ₁ and S ₂ of the shaded portions in FIGS. 15A and 15B become equal to each other is the degaussing time when the Zener diode Dz is inserted.
As a result, when the Zener voltage is 24 V, the degaussing time is approximately one half of that in the case where the Zener diode Dz is not inserted, and the response speed of the flow-down blocking member 22 in the prize ball discharging device 20 is correspondingly increased.

In FIG. 14, the diode D ₁ connected in the reverse direction in series with the Zener diode Dz is for protecting the transistor Tr ₂ from the counter electromotive force of the solenoid, and is the switch transistor Tr ₃ of the safe solenoid 46. Is also provided with a similar protection diode D ₂ . However, since the safe solenoid 46 does not require a response that is so fast as the discharge solenoid 21, the Zener diode Dz is not necessary in this embodiment, but a Zener diode connected in parallel with the coil of the safe solenoid 46 is provided. You may do it.

Further, a Zener diode is provided in a drive circuit of a solenoid other than the prize ball discharge device and the prize ball processing device, for example, a solenoid of a replenishing device or a role component of a game section, or a drive circuit of a hitting ball launching device using a solenoid. You may do it.

[0106]

As described above, the present invention is based on an electric actuating device having an actuating member capable of reciprocating between a predetermined first position and a predetermined second position by a solenoid, and a predetermined condition. In a gaming machine provided with a drive circuit of a drive solenoid for activating the actuating member, the drive circuit has a switch means connected in series with a coil of the solenoid between power supply terminals, and in parallel with the coil. Since the residual magnetic force forced discharge means connected is provided, the residual magnetic force forced discharge means acts as the forced discharge means of the residual magnetism accumulated in the coil of the solenoid when the current is cut off, so that the demagnetization time of the solenoid is shortened. It is possible to improve the responsiveness at the end of the operation of the operating member, and to realize a gaming machine that performs extremely highly accurate operation. When applied to a driving circuit of prize balls ejector there is an effect that even if a large number of winning ball is produced in a short time to improve the response at the time of discharge termination can be realized manageable gaming machine. Further, when a Zener diode is used as the above-mentioned forced remanent emission means,
Since it is possible to configure the residual magnetic force emission means with only one element, the entire drive circuit is simplified.

Further, since the diode reversely connected in series with the Zener diode is provided, there is an effect that the transistor for switching the current of the coil can be protected from the counter electromotive force of the coil generated when the current is cut off.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a rear view showing a configuration example of an entire back mechanism board of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic front view of a pachinko gaming machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a reserve ball storage tank, a guide gutter, and a prize ball discharging device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a prize ball discharging device.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing a cross-sectional state of a flow-down path of the prize ball discharging device.

FIG. 6 is an operation explanatory view showing an operation of the prize ball discharging device.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a configuration example of a winning ball processing device.

8A and 8B are operation explanatory views showing the operation of the winning ball processing device.

FIG. 9 is a block diagram showing an example of a control system of a pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 10 is a timing chart showing the timing of tank processing for replenishing a storage tank.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart illustrating an example of a procedure of a winning ball detection process and a prize ball discharging process by the CPU.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing an example of a specific procedure of fraud detection processing therein.

13 is a timing chart of processing according to the procedure of FIG.

FIG. 14 is a circuit explanatory diagram showing an example of a drive circuit for various lamps and a solenoid.

15 (A) and 15 (B) are explanatory views showing the difference in characteristics when the solenoid is shut off by the solenoid drive circuit in the conventional example and the embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Back mechanism board 2 Storage tank 10 Assembly shelf 11 Guide gutter 12 Prize ball outflow gutter 13 Prize ball outflow gutter 20 Prize ball discharge device 22 Actuating member (downflow blocking member) 25 Discharge sensor 30 Downflow path 40 Winning ball treatment device 43 Ball processing Device 45 Weight 46 Safe solenoid 47 Stopper 91 Winning ball detector (safe sensor) 92 Overflow detector 60 Ball removing device 100 Pachinko gaming machine 101 Supply plate 102 Receiving plate 103 Hitting ball launching device 114 Warning notification means (illegal display lamp) 200 Control device

Claims (3)

(57) [Claims] 1. An electric actuating device having an actuating member capable of reciprocating between a predetermined first position and a predetermined second position by a solenoid, and a drive for actuating the actuating member based on a predetermined condition. In a gaming machine provided with a solenoid drive circuit, the drive circuit includes a switch means connected in series with the solenoid coil between power supply terminals, and a residual magnetic force release means connected in parallel with the coil. A gaming machine characterized by being provided. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the residual magnetic force release means is a Zener diode having a Zener voltage higher than a peak value of a power supply voltage. 3. The gaming machine according to claim 2, wherein the drive circuit includes a diode reversely connected in series with the Zener diode.