JP4218774B2 - Pachinko ball lifting and polishing equipment - Google Patents

Description

[0001]
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an apparatus for lifting and polishing a pachinko ball used in a pachinko amusement park, that is, an apparatus for polishing while lifting from a low place to a high place, and more specifically, circulatingly used for polishing. The present invention relates to a pachinko ball lift polishing apparatus (hereinafter abbreviated as “lift polishing apparatus”) configured to efficiently circulate an abrasive.
[0002]
[Prior art]
As a conventional lift polishing apparatus, one disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 5-6473 (hereinafter referred to as “first conventional apparatus”) is known. In the first conventional apparatus, the pachinko balls and the abrasives placed in the pumping pipe are agitated and mixed by a screw-shaped pumping spiral body to carry out pumping polishing. The lifted pachinko balls and the abrasive are separated by the separating means provided at the upper end outlet of the lift pipe, so that the pachinko balls flow down to the replenishment trough and the abrasive flows down to the abrasive circulation pipe. As a result, an abrasive circulation system is formed. Abrasives are also called poly, pellets, abrasive grains, etc., and those made of synthetic resin such as nylon are used. The size is about 1 to 2 millimeters in diameter and 2 to several millimeters in length. Is generally lighter than 0.5 grams.
[0003]
[Problems to be solved by the invention]
Since the above-mentioned abrasive made of synthetic resin is stirred and mixed with a metal pachinko ball having a relatively large difference in order in the triboelectric series, it is very likely to be charged with static electricity. Since the abrasive itself is very light, the abrasives gather together to form a mass due to the action of the attraction generated by static electricity, and this mass adheres to the inner wall of the abrasive circulation pipe made of vinyl chloride or the like. (Stagnation) and may hinder internal circulation. When circulation is hindered, subsequent abrasives flowing down one after another can accumulate on the mass, and eventually the abrasive can overflow into the separator. When the abrasive material overflows, the pachinko balls and the abrasive material are not separated, and the abrasive material flows into the gaming machine or the like through the replenishment bowl together with the pachinko balls. When the abrasive material that has flowed in enters a machine part such as a gaming machine, it may cause a failure. The problem to be solved by the invention described in each claim is that the abrasive can be efficiently circulated by removing the above-mentioned abrasive lump or preventing the abrasive from forming a lump. It is to prevent a malfunction of a gaming machine or the like caused by the problem.
[0004]
[Means for Solving the Problems]
The inventor who investigated the prior art in order to solve the above-mentioned problem attached a vibrator to an abrasive circulation pipe to give vibration to make the internal abrasive easy to flow down (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 5-15658, hereinafter , Referred to as “second conventional apparatus”), which adjusts the drying condition of the cleaning medium liquid for cleaning the abrasives to prevent drying and makes it difficult to generate static electricity due to residual humidity (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 7-148336) Hereafter referred to as “third conventional device”).
[0005]
However, in the method of the second conventional apparatus, steady vibration may occur due to interference between the traveling wave and the backward wave depending on the form of the abrasive circulation pipe and the vibration frequency of the vibrator. Since the position of the belly or the node does not change, there may be a case where the abrasive cannot flow down efficiently. Furthermore, the method of the third conventional apparatus is a passive means of adjusting the drying condition of the cleaning medium, and cannot be applied to a lift polishing apparatus that does not include a cleaning medium and a drying blower. Therefore, the inventor took measures to prevent a standing wave from being generated in the abrasive circulation pipe, recognizing that applying vibration to the abrasive circulation pipe is effective for removing the abrasive lump. . Furthermore, by controlling the drying condition of the abrasive, the generation of static electricity was suppressed, making it difficult for the abrasive to form a mass. The present invention uses these methods alone or in combination. The detailed configuration and operation will be described later.
[0006]
1. Structure of the Invention as described in Claim 1 The lift polishing apparatus according to the invention as set forth in claim 1 (hereinafter referred to as “lift polishing apparatus of claim 1”) is an island in which a plurality of pachinko gaming machines are installed. A polishing material mixing means for mixing (injecting) an abrasive having a diameter smaller than that of the pachinko balls into the game-finished pachinko balls recovered from the above, and the polishing material and pachinko balls in the polishing material mixing means for polishing while being fed Conventional lifting in that it comprises a feeding / polishing means, a separating means for separating the abrasive from the lifted pachinko balls, and an abrasive circulation system for allowing the separated abrasive to flow down to the abrasive mixing means. Common with polishing equipment. The lift polishing apparatus according to claim 1 is characterized in that the abrasive circulation system detects a lump of the abrasive and outputs a detection signal; and a vibration is applied to the abrasive to eliminate the lump. a plurality of vibrating means arranged along the abrasive flow-down direction in order that, and a control unit for controlling the vibrating means receiving said detection signal, said control device, means each excitation, in the configuration and tare Rukoto to activate at different timings in the order along the abrasive flow-down direction.
[0007]
Operation of the invention described in claim 1 The operation of the lift polishing apparatus according to claim 1 is as follows. The game-completed pachinko balls collected from an island having a plurality of pachinko machines are fed into the abrasive material mixing means 2, and the abrasive material is mixed therein. The game-finished pachinko balls mixed with the abrasive are polished while being transported and sent to the separating means 8. The separating means 8 separates the abrasive from the polished pachinko balls. The separated abrasive material is caused to flow down to the abrasive material mixing means 2 through the abrasive material circulation system 14 for reuse. Each of the vibrating means 17 and 18 applies vibration directly and indirectly to the abrasive in the abrasive circulation system 14. Control of the vibration means is performed by the control device receiving a detection signal output from the detection means. At this time, since the activation timings of the respective excitation means 17 and 18 are different from each other , the possibility of generating a standing wave due to the interference of the vibrations of the plurality of excitation means is reduced. clogging) is Ru been resolved.
[0008]
Configuration of the invention according to claim 2 The lift polishing apparatus according to the invention according to claim 2 (hereinafter referred to as "lift polishing apparatus according to claim 2") is the same as the structure of the lift polishing apparatus according to claim 1. In addition, the vibration means 18 and 19 have a configuration in which the vibration frequencies are different from each other. Only the vibration frequency may be different, or may be different with other vibration specifications.
[0009]
Operation of the invention described in claim 2 In the lift polishing apparatus according to claim 2, in addition to the action of the lift polishing apparatus of claim 1, by making the vibration frequency of each of the excitation means 18, 19 different, There exists an effect | action of changing the position of a vibration antinode or a node in the abrasives circulation system 14 inside.
[0010]
Structure of the invention described in claim 3 The lift polishing apparatus according to the invention described in claim 3 (hereinafter referred to as "lift polishing apparatus of claim 3") is the same as that of the lift polishing apparatus of claim 1 or 2. In addition to the configuration, the vibration frequency of each of the vibrating means 18 and 19 is made different, whereby the vibration antinode and the position of the node are changed in the abrasive circulation system 14. Only the vibration phase may be different, or the vibration phase may be different from the vibration frequency.
[0011]
Operation of the invention described in claim 3 In the lift polishing apparatus according to claim 3, in addition to the action of the lift polishing apparatus of claim 1 or 2, the vibration phases of the respective excitation means 18 and 19 are made different. Thus, there is an effect that the position of the vibration antinode or the node is changed inside the abrasive circulation system 14.
[0012]
Meaning of Terms The meanings of the main terms described in the claims will be explained. The “abrasive circulation system” is a passage for guiding the abrasive flowing down from the separating means to the mixing means, and as such, generally, the abrasive is scattered like a pipe material. A non-open type is used. The expression “circulation system” does not necessarily mean, for example, that the abrasive material is circulated only by the pipe material mentioned above as an example. This means that this member is included when a contributing member is present. “Vibration means” refers to any means that can vibrate within the abrasive circulation system. For example, a vibrator such as a vibrator itself or a part of the abrasive circulation system may be used. There are things that strike and impact. Further, those that protrude into the abrasive circulation system and that stir the interior are also included in this vibration means.
[0013]
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as “present embodiments”) will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a schematic view partially showing a lifting and polishing apparatus connected to a pachinko amusement hall via a recovery basket, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration. 3 to 5 are flowcharts showing the operation of this embodiment.
[0014]
Basic Structure of Lifting Polishing Device In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a vertically extending pipe, and reference numeral 2 denotes a transfer pipe (abrasive mixing means) 2 for transferring the abrasive while mixing the pachinko balls with the abrasive. , Respectively. Both the transfer pipe 2 and the lift pipe 1 are made of vinyl chloride. The lower end of the lifting pipe 1 is connected to one end of the transfer pipe 2 so that both form an L-shape. A horizontal spiral body 4 having a transfer motor 3 connected to one end thereof is provided in the transfer pipe 2, and a lifting spiral body 6 (lifting polishing) having a lifting motor 5 (electric drive means) connected to the lower end thereof in the lifting pipe 1. Means) are provided so that they can rotate freely. The transfer motor 3 and the lift motor 5 are driven by supplying power from the drive power supply 27. The drive control method will be described again. A discharge port 7 is provided at the upper end of the lifting pipe 1, and the pachinko balls and abrasives lifted from here are discharged out of the lifting pipe 1, and the abrasives are separated from the discharged pachinko balls. ing. This separation is performed by a separating device 8 (separating means) provided on the side of the upper end discharge port 7. The lifting and polishing apparatus is provided in a so-called island (not shown) in which a plurality of pachinko machines are installed, and a game-finished pachinko ball to be polished is removed from the recovery basket 9 at a position below the pachinko machine. It has come to be collected.
[0015]
Transfer pipe 2 and lift pipe 1
The transfer pipe 2 includes a ball inlet 10, and the pachinko balls recovered by the recovery basket 9 are allowed to flow into the transfer pipe 2 from the ball inlet 10. Further, the abrasive material is supplied from the abrasive material storage 11 located at the upper part of the transfer pipe 2, and in the horizontal direction (left to right direction in FIG. 1) while being stirred and mixed together with the pachinko balls by the rotation of the horizontal spiral 4. It is configured to be transported. The transferred pachinko balls and abrasives eventually arrive at the lower end of the lifting pipe 1. The pachinko balls arriving at the lower end of the lifting pipe 1 are polished while being fed to a position above the pachinko gaming machine through the lifting pipe 1 by the rotation of the lifting spiral body 6 and the action of the abrasive. ing.
[0016]
The separating device separating device 8 includes a slanted mesh-like separating rod 12 folded in two stages and an abrasive tray 13 positioned below these separating rods 12. The pachinko balls mixed with the abrasive are sent out onto the separation basket 12, and at this time, the abrasive having a diameter smaller than that of the pachinko balls falls from the gap between the separation baskets 12, thereby separating them. The mesh size of the separation basket 12 is determined according to the form of the abrasive used. The abrasive tray 13 is inclined so that the received abrasive can be slid into the circulation pipe 14. The pachinko balls that have passed through the separation basket 12 are guided to the supply basket 15 and supplied to the pachinko gaming machine again. An abrasive replenishing device 16 for replenishing the abrasive is provided in the middle of the circulation pipe 14 so that the reduced abrasive is appropriately replenished. The abrasive material supply device 16 includes a humidity sensor 25 (described later) for detecting the humidity of the internal abrasive material.
[0017]
Vibrating device will now be described vibrating device. The vibration exciter is for applying vibration to the circulation pipe 14 to eliminate the lump of abrasive material adhering (stagnation) in the circulation pipe 14. For this reason, it is effective to select and install a place where a lump is easily formed as much as possible. In the present embodiment, the upper vibration device 17 and the lower vibration device 18 are respectively provided on two outer walls of the meandering portion of the circulation pipe 14 as shown in FIG. It is attached. In addition to this, if the circulation pipe 14 has a portion where the abrasive is easily clogged, for example, a portion whose diameter is reduced and narrowed, or a portion that bends, a vibration device is also provided to those portions. It is good to attach. Both the upper vibration device 17 and the lower vibration device 18 are vibrators that vibrate themselves, and both have vibration specifications different from each other so that a standing wave is unlikely to be generated. It is configured to vibrate. Here, “the frequency is different” means that if the frequency of the upper vibration device 17 is f1 and the frequency of the lower vibration device 18 is f2, f1 and f2 are not equal (not in the same range). More preferably, f1 is not an integer multiple of f2 (f2 is f1). This is because when the relationship is an integral multiple, f1 and f2 resonate and a standing wave is likely to be generated. Any method may be used for attaching the vibration devices 17 and 18 to the circulation pipe 14. However, as long as the vibration devices 17 and 18 do not come off naturally due to vibration, they can be easily removed for the purpose of exchanging the attachment position and for maintenance. Those are preferred.
[0018]
Sensor (detection means)
The circulation pipe 14 further includes sensors at its upper end and lower end for detecting when the abrasive has formed a mass and outputting a detection signal. In the present embodiment, only the upper sensor 19 and the lower sensor 20 described above are provided, but only one or three or more may be used as necessary. In the detection method according to the present embodiment, a capacitive proximity sensor is used as the upper end sensor 19 (lower end sensor 20). For example, a physical detection method is also conceivable in which an actuator is protruded into the circulation pipe 14 to detect a lump of abrasive material. However, as described above, since the abrasive is very light, there may be a case where a sufficient operating force cannot be obtained to move the actuator even if it is a clump. Therefore, an electrical method utilizing the fact that the abrasive is a derivative is adopted, thereby realizing more reliable detection.
[0019]
The abrasive supply device 16 attached in the middle of the moisture injection device circulation pipe 14 includes a moisture injection device 21 (humidity injection means). The abrasive in the abrasive supply device 16 is supplied with moisture (from the moisture injection device 21). After the water is injected, it is mixed with the abrasive in the circulation pipe 14 to increase the amount of moisture in the entire abrasive after mixing. The moisture injection device 21 according to the present embodiment has a form in which moisture is dropped by opening and closing the valve 22.
[0020]
Electrical configuration The electrical configuration of the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 25 (Central Processing Unit) is operated by a program stored in the ROM 26 (Read Only Memory), and the upper vibration device 17 and the lower vibration device 18 connected thereto are connected to the CPU 25 (Central Processing Unit). It comes to perform control. Furthermore, the CPU 25 monitors the flow of the abrasive in the circulation pipe 14 depending on the presence or absence of detection signals output from the upper end sensor 19 and the lower end sensor 20, and the humidity of the abrasive in the abrasive replenishing device 16 by the humidity sensor 25. I am letting. The CPU 25 further interrupts the drive power supply 27 in accordance with the flowing state of the abrasive, controls the transfer motor 3 and the lift motor 5, and controls the opening and closing of the valve 22 of the moisture injection device 21. ing. Reference numerals 28 and 29 are drivers 28 and 29 for driving a control signal output from the CPU 25, and reference numeral 30 is a monitor for showing a person who operates the operation state of the lifting and polishing apparatus.
[0021]
With reference to the flowchart shown in operational view 3-5 of the present embodiment, functions of this embodiment are described. First, the main routine will be described with reference to FIG. The CPU 25 sends a command to the drive power source 27 to drive the transfer motor 3 and the lift motor 5 (S1, S3), and starts the lift polishing. After the lift polishing is started, the presence / absence of a detection output from the upper sensor 18 or the lower sensor 20 is confirmed (S5). In S5, when a detection signal is received from any sensor, that is, a signal to the effect that a lump of the abrasive has been detected, vibration is applied to the abrasive according to the humidity information of the abrasive received from the humidity sensor 25. Either a subroutine (S9) or a moisture injection subroutine (S11) for injecting moisture into the abrasive is selected (S5). That is, when the humidity H of the abrasive in the abrasive replenishing device 16 is higher than the set value N (when the degree of drying is low), the vibration subroutine is selected, and when the humidity H is lower than the set value N (drying) When the degree is high and static electricity is likely to occur), the moisture injection subroutine is selected. When either the vibration subroutine (S9) or the moisture injection subroutine (S11) ends and returns to the main routine, the presence or absence of an output signal from the upper end sensor 19 (lower end sensor 20) is confirmed again (S13).
[0022]
If the output from the upper end sensor 19 (lower end sensor 20) has disappeared in S13, that is, if the lump of abrasive has been eliminated, the process returns to S5 and the signal is output again from the upper end sensor 19 (lower end sensor 20). Prepare and wait. On the other hand, when the signal from the upper end sensor 19 (lower end sensor 20) is received in S13, that is, when the abrasive lump has not been eliminated, if the polishing is continued as it is, the abrasive is removed from the circulation pipe 14 as it is. Since it may overflow, the upper vibration device 17 and the lower vibration device 18 are stopped (S15, S17), and the transfer motor 3 and the lifting motor 5 are stopped for inspection (S19, S21). The reason why the upper vibration device 17 (lower vibration device 19) is stopped is to prevent unnecessary driving when the lift polishing apparatus is re-driven after the inspection is completed. Finally, the fact that the transfer motor 3 and the lifting motor 5 have been stopped is displayed on the monitor, and the operator is informed that the inspection is necessary to call attention (S23). In S7, it is configured to automatically select whether to execute the vibration subroutine or the moisture injection subroutine based on the humidity information of the humidity sensor 25. In other words, it may be configured such that a person who operates this selection switches manually. If it is possible to perform manual switching, it is possible to make a flexible response according to the situation, not limited to the dryness of the abrasive. Furthermore, a priority order may be determined according to the preference (intuition) of the operator, and based on this, vibration and moisture injection may be performed in order.
[0023]
Next, the vibration subroutine will be described with reference to FIG. When the vibration subroutine is selected in S9 of the main routine, first, the upper vibration device 17 is oscillated at the frequency f1, and vibration is applied to the abrasive in the circulation pipe 14 (S31). After the vibration is applied, it is confirmed whether or not the polishing material has been eliminated by the presence or absence of a signal from the upper end sensor 19 (lower end sensor 20) (S33). When it is confirmed in S33 that the lumps are eliminated, the process returns to the main routine and the program is terminated. On the other hand, when it is confirmed in S33 that there is a signal from the sensor and the lump of the abrasive has not been eliminated, the upper vibration device 17 that is currently vibrating is stopped, and then the lower vibration device 18 is set to the frequency f2. The vibration is applied to the abrasive (S35, S37). After the lower vibration device 18 is vibrated, the presence or absence of a signal from the upper end sensor 19 (lower end sensor 20) is confirmed again. If there is no signal, the program is terminated, and if there is a signal, the process proceeds to S41. In S41, the upper vibration device 17 is again oscillated at the frequency f1 (that is, both vibration devices are oscillating in this state), the valve 22 of the moisture injection device 21 is opened, and moisture is supplied into the abrasive material supply device 16. The abrasive to be replenished is dampened with moisture to eliminate static electricity (S43). When the moisture is injected, return to the main routine. The reason why the lower vibration device 18 is vibrated after the upper vibration device 17 is stopped in S37 is to reduce the possibility that a standing wave is generated due to interference between both vibrations.
[0024]
Finally, the moisture injection subroutine will be described with reference to FIG. When the moisture injection subroutine is selected in S9 of the main routine, first, the valve of the moisture injection device 21 is opened to inject moisture into the abrasive supply device 16 to give moisture to the abrasive to be supplied and to generate static electricity. Disappearance is attempted (S51). Here, when the signal from the upper end sensor 19 (lower end sensor 20) does not disappear, the upper vibration exciter 17 is transmitted at the frequency f1 (S55), and further, the presence or absence of the signal is confirmed (S57). If the signal still does not disappear, the lower vibration device 18 is oscillated at the frequency f2 (S61). At this point, both vibration exciters vibrate. Here, when it is confirmed that there is no signal from the upper end sensor 19 (lower end sensor 20), the process returns to the main routine (S61). On the other hand, when it is confirmed in S53, S57, and S61 that the signal has disappeared, the process returns to the main routine. In the present embodiment, first, the moisture injection device 21 is operated, and the vibration devices 19 and 20 are vibrated when the abrasive lump is not eliminated. However, the moisture injection device 21 is activated. If not solved, for example, the process may proceed to S19 to stop the motor.
[0025]
【The invention's effect】
If the lift polishing apparatus according to claims 1 to 3 is used, the abrasive can be circulated efficiently by removing the abrasive lump in the abrasive circulation system or by preventing the abrasive from forming a lump. it can. Further, it is possible to prevent a malfunction of a gaming machine or the like caused by the abrasive.
[Brief description of the drawings]
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view partially showing a lift polishing apparatus coupled to a pachinko gaming machine.
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an electrical configuration.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present embodiment.
FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present embodiment.
FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing the operation of the present embodiment.
[Explanation of symbols]
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Lifting pipe 2 Abrasive material mixing means 5 Electric drive means 6 Lifting polishing means 8 Separation means 14 Abrasive material circulation system 17 Exciting means 18 Exciting means 19 Detection means 20 Detection means 21 Moisture injection means 25 Intermittent control means

Claims (3)

Abrasive material mixing means for mixing a pachinko ball with a smaller diameter than a pachinko ball into a pachinko ball that has been collected from an island where a plurality of pachinko machines are installed,
A lifting and polishing means for polishing while lifting the abrasive and pachinko balls in the abrasive mixing means,
Separating means for separating the abrasive from the pachinko balls that have been lifted;
In a pachinko ball lifting polishing apparatus comprising an abrasive circulation system for flowing the separated abrasive to the abrasive mixing means,
The abrasive circulation system includes a detecting means for outputting a detection signal by detecting the mass of abrasive, arranged along the abrasive flow-down direction in order that solve the mass by applying vibration to the abrasive A plurality of vibration means, and a control device that receives the detection signal and controls the vibration means ,
Wherein the controller, means each excitation, the abrasive flow down configured to activate at different timings in the order along the direction pachinko balls of pumped polishing apparatus characterized by Ru tare.   The pachinko ball lifting and polishing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration means have different vibration frequencies.   3. The pachinko ball lifting and polishing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the vibration means have different vibration phases.

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