JP4681573B2 - Amusement stand - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine represented by a slot machine and a pachinko gaming machine.

  A conventional game machine (for example, a slot machine) rotates a rotating body by a rotating body (generally referred to as a reel or a drum) for visually displaying an internal lottery result and a driving motor such as a stepping motor. A variable display device configured by a drive device that performs stop control is provided.

  By the way, in the drive device of such a variable display device, when a so-called direct-acting drive device (device that directly drives a rotating body with a drive motor) is adopted, a large capacity is required to secure a sufficient torque. It is necessary to apply a drive motor, which causes problems such as an increase in the size, weight, and cost of the variable display device.

As a means for solving such a conventional problem, for example, in Patent Document 1, a driven gear body is disposed on a rotating shaft of a reel (rotating body), and a driving gear in which the driven gear body is disposed on a motor. There is disclosed a game table that is driven to rotate. According to this gaming machine, the torque required for the rotation of the reel can be reduced by the action of the driven gear body and the drive gear, so that the drive motor can be reduced in size.
Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-275606

  However, in the gaming machine described in the above-mentioned Patent Document 1, no particular countermeasure is taken for the play that occurs between the driven gear body and the drive gear, and such play causes vibration when the reel stops rotating. There is a problem that it is easy. That is, when stopping the reel, the stepping motor stops rotating immediately, whereas the reel tries to continue rotating due to the rotational inertia force (inertial force), so it rotates in the forward and reverse directions by the amount of play. It is very annoying for a player who enjoys a game by repeating (vibration), and has been one of the factors that hinder the game.

  In addition to the reels, there are game tables equipped with a variety of movable bodies (objects that perform rotational motion, linear motion, etc.) in addition to reels. The situation of the movable body is the same as that of the reel, and vibrations when the movable body stops are a problem.

  The present invention has been made to solve such a problem, and it is possible to reduce the size of a drive motor that drives a movable body such as a reel, and at the same time, when the drive of the movable body is stopped. An object is to provide a game machine capable of suppressing vibration.

  (1) The present invention relates to a drive motor, a drive gear constituted by a helical gear connected to the drive motor so as to be able to transmit power, a movable body gear constituted by a helical gear meshed with the drive gear, and the movable body A movable body coupled to the gear so as to transmit power, and a brake body, and at least one of the drive gear and the movable body gear is within a range in which the drive gear and the movable body gear can mesh with each other. The brake body is movable in a thrust direction, and the brake body is in contact with at least one of the drive gear, the movable body gear, and the movable body when at least one of the drive gear and the movable body gear moves in the thrust direction. It is a game stand characterized by being arranged so as to contact.

  (2) In the present invention, the movable body gear moves in a direction away from the brake body when the drive motor starts driving, and when the drive motor stops driving, It is a game stand as described in said (1) characterized by moving to the direction which contact | abuts.

  (3) In the above (1) or (2), the brake body functions to stop the operation of the movable body when the drive motor stops driving. It is a game machine of description.

  (4) The present invention further includes a support body that rotatably supports the movable body, the movable body including a reel band that is provided with a plurality of types of patterns, and a reel frame that supports the reel band. The game according to any one of (1) to (3) above, wherein the support body prevents movement of the movable body in a thrust direction. It is a stand.

  (5) The game machine according to any one of (1) to (4), wherein the movable body gear includes an urging portion that urges the movable body in a thrust direction. .

  The gaming machine according to the present invention has an excellent effect that it is possible to reduce the size of a drive motor that drives a movable body such as a reel, and at the same time, it is possible to suppress vibration when driving of the movable body is stopped. .

  Hereinafter, the slot machine (game table) according to the first and second embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.

  <Overall configuration>

  First, the overall configuration of the slot machine 100 according to the first embodiment will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 1 is an external perspective view of the slot machine 100. FIG.

  The slot machine 100 includes a substantially box-shaped main body 101 and a front door 102 attached to the front opening of the main body 101.

  Inside the center of the main body 101 of the slot machine 100, three reels (a left reel 110, a middle reel 111, and a right reel 112) having a plurality of types of symbols arranged on the outer peripheral surface for a predetermined number of frames are stored. To 112 can be rotated inside the slot machine 100. In the first embodiment, three reels are provided in the center of the slot machine 100. However, the number of reels and the installation position of the reels are not limited to this.

  When viewed from the player, three symbols on the reels 110 to 112 are displayed in the vertical direction from the symbol display window 113 so that a total of nine symbols can be seen. Then, by rotating the reels 110 to 112, the combination of symbols that can be seen by the player varies. Note that the variable display device 602 configured to include these reels 110 to 112 will be described later.

  The winning line display lamp 120 is a lamp that indicates an effective winning line. An effective winning line is determined in advance by the number of medals inserted into the slot machine 100. Of the five winning lines 114, for example, when one medal is inserted, the middle horizontal winning line is valid, and when two medals are inserted, the upper horizontal winning line and the lower horizontal winning line are added. When three medals are inserted and three medals are inserted, the five added with the right-down winning line and the upper-right winning line become effective as the winning line. Note that the number of winning lines 114 is not limited to five.

  The start lamp 121 is a lamp that informs the player that the reels 110 to 112 are in a state of being able to rotate. The replay lamp 122 informs the player that the current game can be replayed (the medal insertion is not required) when a replay game that is one of the winning games in the previous game is won. It is a lamp to inform. The notification lamp 123 is a lamp that informs the player that a specific winning combination (for example, a bonus such as BB (Big Bonus) or RB (Regular Bonus)) is won internally in the internal lottery. The medal insertion lamp 124 is a lamp that notifies that a medal can be inserted. The payout number display 125 is a display for displaying the number of medals to be paid out to the player as a result of winning a winning combination. The game number display 126 is an indicator for displaying an error display at the time of inserting a medal, the number of games during the big bonus game (in the BB game), the number of winnings of a predetermined winning combination, and the like. The stored number display 127 is a display for displaying the number of medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100. The reel panel lamp 128 is an effect lamp.

  The medal insertion buttons 130 and 131 are buttons for inserting a predetermined number of medals stored electronically in the slot machine 100. In the first embodiment, every time the medal insertion button 130 is pressed, a maximum of three are inserted one by one, and when the medal insertion button 131 is pressed, three are inserted. The medal slot 134 is an slot for a player to insert a medal when starting a game. That is, the medal can be inserted electronically by the medal insertion button 130 or 131, or the actual medal can be inserted through the medal insertion slot 134. The settlement button 132 is a button for settlement of the medals electronically stored in the slot machine 100 and the bet medals and discharging them to the medal tray 156 from the medal payout opening 155. The medal return button 133 is a button that is pressed to remove a medal when the inserted medal is jammed.

  The start lever 135 is a lever-type switch for performing a game start operation. That is, when a desired number of medals are inserted into the medal insertion slot 134 and the start lever 135 is operated, the reels 110 to 112 are rotated as a trigger, and the game is started. The stop buttons 137 to 139 are buttons for performing a stop operation on the reels 110 to 112 that have started rotating by operating the start lever 135, and are provided corresponding to the reels 110 to 112. When any one of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is operated, any one of the corresponding reels 110 to 112 is stopped.

  The door key 140 is a hole into which a key for unlocking the front door 102 of the slot machine 100 is inserted. The medal payout exit 155 is a payout exit for paying out medals. The medal tray 156 is a container for collecting medals paid out from the medal payout opening 155. The medal tray 156 employs a tray that can emit light in the first embodiment, and may be hereinafter referred to as a tray lamp.

  The upper lamp 150, the side lamp 151, the center lamp 152, the waist lamp 153, the lower lamp 154, and the saucer lamp 156 are decorative lamps for exciting the game. The effect device 157 includes a liquid crystal display device 158 with a door device 163 provided with a door (shutter) that can be opened and closed, for example, attached to the front surface. The effect device 157 displays various information such as a small role notification, for example. Is done. The sound hole 160 is a hole for outputting the sound of a speaker provided inside the slot machine 100 to the outside. On the title panel 162, a pattern for decorating the slot machine 100 is drawn.

  <Control part>

  Next, the circuit configuration of the control unit of the slot machine 100 will be described in detail with reference to FIG.

  The control unit of the slot machine 100 controls the main control unit 300 that controls the central part of the game, the sub-control unit 400 that controls various devices according to the command transmitted from the main control unit 300, and the effect device 157. And a display control unit 500.

  <Main control unit>

  First, the main control unit 300 of the slot machine 100 will be described.

  The microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as “Main CPU”) 310 serves as a center of control in the slot machine 100, and exchanges control signals and data with peripheral units via the bus 370.

  The random number generator 311 generates a random number, and includes a plurality of counters, a clock oscillator, a frequency divider, a latch circuit, and the like. The random value generated by the random number generator 311 is stored in the random number storage area of the RAM 313 via the bus 370 and is sent to the Main CPU 310 as necessary. There are a plurality of types of random number values, and each is used according to the processing content.

  The Main CPU 310 also includes a left stop button sensor 341 that detects which stop button is pressed when any of the stop buttons 137 to 139 is pressed via the input interface 360 and the bus 370, and a middle stop button sensor. 342, the right stop button sensor 343, the start lever sensor 344 that detects the operation of the start lever 135, and any of the medal insertion buttons 130 and 131 are detected, which medal insertion button is detected. 1 button insertion sensor 345, 2 sheet insertion button sensor 346, 3 sheet insertion button sensor 347, payment button switch 348 that operates when the payment button 132 is pressed, and medal inserted from the medal insertion slot 134. 1st medal center to detect (Medal sensor 1) 349 and second medal sensor (medal sensor 2) 350, first payout sensor (payout sensor 1) 351 and second payout sensor (payout sensor 2) 352 for detecting the payout of medals, and left reel 110, the middle reel 111, and the right reel 112 are connected to a left reel index sensor 353, a middle reel index sensor 354, and a right reel index sensor 355 for detecting the symbol position in the rotation direction of each reel.

  A ROM (read-only memory) 312 is one of storage means for storing programs for performing various controls, various table data to be described later, and the like. A RAM (Random Access Memory) 313 has a work area for programs processed by the Main CPU 310 and is one of storage means for storing variable data and the like. In the first embodiment, ROM and RAM are employed in this way, but it goes without saying that other storage means can also be employed. This also applies to the sub-control unit described later.

  Further, the Main CPU 310 has a left reel motor drive unit for controlling a motor (not shown) that drives the rotation of each of the left reel 110, the middle reel 111, and the right reel 112 via the output interface 332 and the bus 370. 321, a middle reel motor drive unit 322, a right reel motor drive unit 323, a hopper drive unit 331 for controlling a medal payout device (so-called hopper: not shown), and a game lamp 380 (specifically, a winning line display) A lamp 120, a start lamp 121, a replay lamp 122, a notification lamp 123, a medal insertion lamp 124, and the like, and a 7-segment (SEG) display 390 (a payout number display 125, a game number display 126, a stored number display 127 Etc.) are connected to each other.

  Further, the Main CPU 310 transmits various main control commands to the input interface 430 of the sub-control unit 400 via the output interface 332.

  <Sub control unit>

  Next, the sub control unit 400 of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

The microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as SubCPU) 410 receives various commands transmitted from the main control unit 300 via the input interface 430 and the bus 470, and controls the sub control unit 400 as a whole according to the contents of the received commands. To do.
The ROM 411 is one of storage means for storing programs and data for controlling the sub-control unit 400 as a whole. The RAM 412 has a work area for programs processed by the SubCPU 410, and is one of storage means for storing variable data and the like.

  The effect light-emitting display unit 450 collectively represents the upper lamp 150, the side lamp 151, the center lamp 152, the waist lamp 153, the lower lamp 154, and the saucer lamp 156, and is connected to the SubCPU 410 via the output interface 420 and the bus 470. Connected and turned on / flashes / extinguishes according to the instruction of the SubCPU 410.

  The musical tone signal forming unit 460 forms a musical tone signal based on the control signal and data delivered from the SubCPU 410 and outputs the musical tone signal. The musical sound signal is amplified by an amplifier 461 and then output as a sound from a speaker (specifically, an upper speaker and a central speaker) 462. Further, the SubCPU 410 transmits various control data to the display control unit 500 via the output interface 440.

  <Display control unit>

  Next, the display control unit 500 of the slot machine 100 will be described with reference to FIG.

  A microprocessor (hereinafter referred to as a second SubCPU) 510 receives various control data transmitted from the sub-control unit 400 via the input interface 530 and the bus 570, and the liquid crystal display device according to the contents of the received command (LCD) 158 is controlled.

  The ROM 511 is one of storage means for storing programs, data, and the like for controlling the entire display control unit 500.

  The VDP 550 transmits display data and the like to the liquid crystal display device 157 via the output interface 553 according to the instruction of the second SubCPU 510. The ROM 552 is one of storage means for storing display data and the like.

  <Variable display device>

  FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a state in which three variable display devices 602 are accommodated in the reel box 600.

  Each variable display device 602 is housed in a reel box 600 formed of a plurality of metal plates, and is disposed inside the center of the slot machine 100 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 4A is an exploded perspective view showing the members constituting the variable display device 602 in an exploded manner. 5A is a schematic side view showing the assembled state of the variable display device 602, and FIG. 5B is a schematic front view thereof. 6A and 6B are schematic cross-sectional views showing a state where the variable display device 602 is assembled. In FIGS. 5A and 5B and FIGS. 6A and 6B, illustration of some members is omitted for convenience of explanation.

  As shown in FIG. 4A, the variable display device 602 detects the rotation position of the reel 110 (111, 112), the drive device 604 that drives the reel to rotate, and the reel 110 (111, 112). And a rotation detecting device 606.

  <Reel>

  The reels 110 (111, 112) are attached to a thin cylindrical reel band 610, a left side surface of the reel band 610, a first reel frame 612 supporting the left side surface of the reel band 610, and a right side of the reel band 610. The second reel frame 614 is attached to the side surface and supports the right side surface of the reel band 610.

  FIG. 7 is a diagram in which the arrangement of symbols applied to the reel band 610 of each reel 110 to 112 is developed in a plane.

  A plurality of types of symbols are arranged on the reel band 610 by a predetermined number of frames (21 frames of numbers 0 to 20 in the first embodiment). The numbers 0 to 20 shown at the left end of the figure are numbers indicating the arrangement positions of symbols on the reel band 610. For example, in the first embodiment, the “Red Seven” symbol is assigned to the number 1 frame of the reel strip 610 of the left reel 110, and the “Replay” symbol is assigned to the number 1 frame of the reel strip 610 of the middle reel 111. The “Bell” symbol is arranged on the number 1 frame of the reel band 610 of the reel 112.

  Returning to FIG. 4A, the first reel frame 612 includes an annular frame portion 612A and four supports formed to extend from the frame portion 612A toward the center of the frame portion 612A. The portion 612B and a substantially disc-shaped attachment portion 612C formed so as to integrally connect the tip ends of the four support portions 612B. In one of the four support portions 612B, a plate-shaped light shielding piece 612D is formed so as to protrude in a direction toward the rotation detection device 606. A substantially cylindrical spline portion 612E having a spline formed on the outer periphery is formed on the end surface of the mounting portion 612C on the driving device 604 side.

  The second reel frame 614 is made of an annular member having substantially the same diameter as the frame portion 612A of the first reel frame 612, and is disposed on the opposite side of the first reel frame 612 with the reel band 610 interposed therebetween.

  <Drive device>

  The drive device 604 includes a drive motor 616, a drive gear 618 attached to the motor shaft 616A of the drive motor 616, a movable body gear 620 that meshes with the drive gear 618, the movable body gear 620, and the reels 110 (111, 111, 111). 112) is rotatably supported by a washer 621 and a bearing 622, and a brake body 630 disposed coaxially with the support shaft 623. The drive motor 616 and the brake body 630 are fixedly supported on the plate-shaped metal frame 626 by a plurality of mounting screws 624. The support shaft 623 is fixedly supported on the brake body 630 by mounting screws 624.

  In the present embodiment, the drive motor 616 is configured by a stepping motor. The “drive motor” according to the present invention is not limited to a stepping motor, and for example, an AC motor, a DC motor, a servo motor, or the like can be applied.

  The drive gear 618 is configured by a helical gear.

  As shown in FIG. 6, the movable body gear 620 includes a substantially cylindrical mounting portion 620A, and a substantially cylindrical shape having a larger diameter than the mounting portion 620A at the end of the mounting portion 620A on the first reel frame 612 side. Connecting portion 620B, a cylindrical sliding portion 620C having a tapered outer diameter that gradually increases from the connecting portion 620B toward the brake body 630, and a hook-like shape at the end of the sliding portion 620C on the brake body side The driven gear portion 620D is formed by the following. A support shaft 623 is inserted into the mounting portion 620A via a bearing 622 that is press-fitted inside. The connecting portion 620B has a spline formed on the inner periphery, and meshes with the spline portion 612E of the first reel frame 612 from the outside. That is, the movable body gear 620 is connected to the first reel frame 612 so that the rotational driving force can be transmitted through the spline. In addition, a wave washer 632 that urges the first reel frame 612 in a direction away from the movable body gear 620 is disposed inside the connection portion 620B. The sliding portion 620C is formed to cover the brake body 630 from the outside. The driven gear portion 620D is a helical gear having a larger diameter than the drive gear 618.

  The support shaft 623 is inserted into the mounting portion 620A of the movable body gear 620 and the mounting portion 612C of the first reel frame 612. An E ring 634 for positioning the first reel frame 612 is disposed on the outer periphery of the support shaft 623 in the vicinity of the end of the spline portion 612E of the first reel frame 612. Thereby, the first reel frame 612 is substantially impossible to move in the thrust direction (axial direction) with respect to the support shaft 623. On the other hand, the movable body gear 620 is supported so as to be movable in the thrust direction with respect to the support shaft 623. Note that the moving amount of the movable body gear 620 is limited to a range in which the movable body gear 620 can mesh with the drive gear 618.

  Returning to FIG. 4A, the brake body 630 has a substantially cylindrical shape, and has a contact portion 630A on the movable body gear 620 side, a fixed portion 630B on the metal frame 626 side, and an end face on the movable body gear 620 side. The recess 630C is formed, and a plurality of discharge grooves 630D formed on the outer peripheral surface. The contact portion 630A is tapered such that the outer diameter gradually decreases toward the end on the movable body gear 620 side. The fixing portion 630B is cylindrical and includes a plurality of screw holes 630E into which the mounting screws 624 are inserted. The support shaft 623 is fixed to the bottom surface of the recess 630C. The discharge groove 630D is formed in the axial direction from the end on the movable body gear 620 side through the contact portion 630A to a part of the fixed portion 630B. As shown in FIG. 5 or FIG. 6, the brake body 630 includes an attachment portion 620A of the movable body gear 620 inserted into the recess 630C and an outer periphery of the contact portion 630A by the sliding portion 620C of the movable body gear 620. Is disposed and covered.

  <Rotation detector>

  Returning to FIG. 4A, the rotation detection device 606 includes an optical index sensor 606A composed of a light projecting portion and a light receiving portion, and a mounting base 606B to which the index sensor 606A is attached, and the index sensor 606A. The light shielding piece 612D provided on the first reel frame 612 passes between the light projecting unit and the light receiving unit. The mounting base 606 </ b> B is fixed to the metal frame 626 by mounting screws 624. Therefore, the metal frame 626 is provided with the variable display device 602 substantially at the center, the drive motor 616 below the variable display device 602, and the rotation detection device 606 above the variable display device 602. ing.

  The slot machine 100 determines the position of the symbol in the rotation direction on each reel 110 to 112 based on the detection result of the rotation detection device 606, and each reel so that the target symbol is displayed on the winning line 114. 110 to 112 are stopped.

  Next, the operation of the variable display device 602 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  When the motor shaft 616A of the drive motor 616 rotates, the drive gear 618 fixed to the motor shaft 616A is rotationally driven. By this rotation of the drive gear 618, the movable body gear 620 meshed with the drive gear 618 and the driven gear portion 620D is rotationally driven. Further, by the rotation of the movable body gear 620, the first reel frame body 612 of each of the reels 110 to 112 connected to the movable body gear 620 is rotationally driven. As a result, the reel band 610 fixed to the first reel frame 612 is rotationally driven. That is, the power of the drive motor 616 is transmitted in the order of the drive gear 618 → the movable body gear 620 → the first reel frame 612 → the reel band 610.

  In the present embodiment, as described above, the drive gear 618 and the driven gear portion 620D of the movable body gear 620 are constituted by helical gears, so that power is being transmitted between the drive gear 618 and the movable body gear 620. In addition, a load in the thrust direction (axial direction) (thrust load) is applied. As described above, the movable body gear 620 is arranged so as to be movable in the thrust direction, so that when it receives this thrust load, it moves in either one of the axial directions.

  The thrust load acting on the helical gear changes when the rotation starts and stops, so that the movable body gear 620 moves in the opposite direction when the rotation starts and when the rotation stops. In the present embodiment, the direction of the helical gear is set so that the movable body gear 620 moves in a direction away from the brake body 630 when rotation starts and moves in a direction approaching the brake body 630 when rotation stops. As a result, the movable body gear 620 rotates while maintaining the gap A without contacting the brake body 630 at the time of starting rotation and during rotation (FIG. 6A). When the rotation is stopped, the thrust load causes the inner peripheral surface of the sliding portion 620C of the movable body gear 620 to come into contact with and press against the outer peripheral surface of the contact portion 630A of the brake body 630 (FIG. 6B). The movable body gear 620 stops while pressing the brake body 630, but moves again in a direction away from the brake body 630 at the start of subsequent rotation. Thereby, the rotation of the movable body gear 620 is braked by the frictional force generated between the inner peripheral surface of the sliding portion 620C of the movable body gear 620 and the outer peripheral surface of the contact portion 630A of the brake body 630. That is, when the rotation of the reel 110 (111, 112) is started, the drive gear 618 starts rotating, and the movable body gear 620 (which has stopped rotating until then) stops rotating due to inertial force. Since it is going to maintain, the movable body gear 620 moves in the direction away from the brake body 630 by a thrust load. Further, while the reel 110 (111, 112) is rotating, the driving gear 618 continues to transmit the rotational driving force to the movable body gear 620, so that the movable body gear 620 moves away from the brake body 630 by the thrust load. Will remain. Furthermore, when the rotation of the reels 110 (111, 112) is stopped, the drive gear 618 stops rotating, and the movable body gear 620 (which has been rotated so far) tries to maintain a state where it is rotated by inertial force. Therefore, the movable body gear 620 moves in the direction approaching the brake body 630 by the thrust load. Therefore, the reels 110 (111, 112) at the time of the rotation stop are moving in the rotation direction while the movable body gear 620 is moving in the direction approaching the brake body 630. That is, when the drive motor 616 is stopped, the reel 110 (111, 112) is stopped at the position after the movement by allowing the reel 110 (111, 112) to move by the inertial force. That is, even after the drive motor 616 is stopped, this frictional force prevents the reels 110 (111, 112) and the movable body gear 620 from continuing to rotate due to the inertial force. As a result, generation of unnecessary vibration due to the inertial force when the drive motor 616 is stopped is effectively suppressed.

  Since the brake body 630 is provided with the discharge groove 630D, the friction force can be stably exhibited. First, when the movable body gear 620 approaches the brake body 630, the air between the movable body gear 620 and the brake body 630 is discharged from the discharge groove 630D. Therefore, the sliding portion 620C of the movable body gear 620 and the brake The contact portion 630A of the body 630 can smoothly contact without being disturbed by the air between them. Further, when the movable body gear 620 is rotated by the inertial force and the sliding portion 620C and the contact portion 630A slide, wear powder may be generated, but since this wear powder is discharged from the discharge groove 630D, contact No abrasion powder remains on the surface. Thereby, it can prevent that a contact becomes non-uniform | heterogenous and frictional force becomes unstable. Further, non-uniform contact is prevented, and an error in working of the brake due to a molding error between the sliding portion 620C of the movable body gear 620 and the contact portion 630A of the brake body 630 is eliminated.

  Further, the sliding portion 620C of the movable body gear 620 and the contact portion 630A of the brake body 630 are in contact with each other to generate an appropriate frictional force when the rotation is stopped, and then smoothly separated when starting to rotate again. It has become. Such generation of appropriate frictional force and smooth separation are achieved by appropriately setting the taper angles of the sliding portion 620C and the contact portion 630A. FIG. 4B is a diagram illustrating the taper angle α of the sliding portion 620C and the contact portion 630A. In order to achieve both appropriate frictional force and smooth separation, the taper angle α is preferably 8 ° to 18 °, more preferably 10 ° to 16 °. Then, in order to achieve both the appropriate frictional force and the smooth separation in the most balanced manner, 12 degrees to 14 degrees is desirable.

  In the present embodiment, a wave washer 632 is disposed between the first reel frame 612 and the movable body gear 620. The wave washer 632 biases the first reel frame 612 to form a reel. 110 (111, 112) axial inclination and vibration are suppressed. That is, the wave washer 632 causes the reel 110 to move due to friction between the spline portion 612E of the first reel frame 612 and the connection portion 620B of the movable body gear 620 when the movable body gear 620 moves at the start or stop of rotation. (111, 112) is prevented from moving in the axial direction and oscillating or tilting and oscillating. As a result, the variable display device 602 according to the present embodiment can effectively suppress not only the vibration in the rotation direction of the reels 110 (111, 112) but also the vibration and swing in the axial direction.

  FIGS. 8A and 8B are diagrams showing another method of urging the reel 110 (111, 112). As shown in FIG. 8A, a coil spring 636 may be used instead of the wave washer 632. Further, as shown in FIG. 8B, the support shaft 623 is provided with a flange portion 623A, and a wave washer 632 or a coil spring 636 is disposed between the flange portion 623A and the spline portion 612E of the first reel frame 612. You may make it do. That is, the first reel frame 612 may be urged from the support shaft 623 that does not rotate instead of urging the first reel frame 612 from the rotating movable body gear 620.

  The material of the movable body gear 620 and the brake body 630 must be strong enough to withstand not only the rotational driving force but also the load and frictional force in the thrust direction, and further, wear resistance and appropriate friction. It is necessary to balance the generation of force. In this embodiment, a composite material of polycarbonate and glass fiber is used as the material of the movable body gear 620 and the brake body 630, but is not limited to this. For example, instead of polycarbonate, polybutylene terephthalate, polyacetal, or other resins may be used, or other fibers may be used instead of glass fibers, or the movable body gear 620 and the brake body may be made of metal or ceramics. 630 may be formed.

  Moreover, you may make it provide a different member in the internal peripheral surface of the sliding part 620C of the movable body gear 620. FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating a case where the friction material 638 is provided on the inner peripheral surface of the sliding portion 620 </ b> C of the movable body gear 620. As described above, by providing the sliding portion 620C with the friction material 638 made of a material having high wear resistance or a material that generates a large frictional force, the vibration suppressing effect can be further enhanced. The movable body gear 620 provided with the friction material 638 can be configured by two-color molding, for example, with the movable body gear 620 main body made of glass fiber reinforced polycarbonate and the friction material 638 made of carbon fiber reinforced polybutylene terephthalate. It may be configured by other methods. For example, the friction material 638 may be detachably attached to the movable body gear 620 so that the friction material 638 can be replaced. Needless to say, the friction member 638 may be provided in the brake body 630.

  <Main control unit main processing>

  Next, the main process of the main control unit 300 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of main processing of the main control unit 300.

  Basic control of the game is performed mainly by the Main CPU 310 of the main control unit 300, and unless the power supply is detected, the main CPU 310 repeatedly executes the main control unit main process of FIG. Become.

  When power is turned on to the slot machine 100, first, various initialization processes are executed. Thereafter, in step S101 of the main control unit main process, a process related to medal insertion is performed. Here, it is checked whether or not medals have been inserted, and the winning line display lamp 120 is turned on according to the number of medals inserted.

  In step S102, a process related to a game start operation is performed. Here, it is checked whether or not the start lever 135 has been operated. If it is determined that the start operation has been performed, the number of inserted medals is determined.

  In step S103, a valid pay line 114 is determined.

  In step S104, the random number generated by the random number generator 317 is acquired.

  In step S105, the winning combination internal lottery is performed using the random value acquired in step S104 and the winning combination lottery table stored in the ROM 312.

  In step S106, rotation of all the reels 110 to 112 is started by a reel rotation start process. At this time, based on the internal lottery result in step S105, the stop position data selection table is referred to, and any one reel stop control table is selected.

  In step S107, the reels 110 to 112 corresponding to the pressed stop buttons 137 to 139 are stopped from rotating by the reel stop control process. At this time, the reels 110 to 112 are stopped based on the reel stop control table selected in step S106.

  In step S108, the winning determination of the symbols stopped when the stop buttons 137 to 139 are pressed is performed. Here, it is determined that the winning combination is won when the winning winning combination 114 corresponding to the internal winning winning combination or the winning combination having the flag carried over is arranged (displayed). . For example, if “Replay-Replay-Replay” is arranged on the validated winning line 114, it is determined that the player wins the replay.

  In step S109, a medal payout process is performed. In this medal payout process, if a winning combination with a payout is won, the number of medals corresponding to the winning combination is paid out.

  In step S110, a game state control process is performed. In this gaming state control process, control for shifting the gaming state is performed.

  As described above, the slot machine 100 according to the first embodiment includes the drive motor 616, the drive gear 618 configured by the helical gear coupled to the drive motor 616 so that power can be transmitted, and the helical gear meshed with the drive gear 618. A movable body gear 620, a movable body (reel in this embodiment) 110 to 112 coupled to the movable body gear 620 so that power can be transmitted, and a brake body 630, and a drive gear 618 and At least one of the movable body gear 620 is movable in the thrust direction within a range in which the drive gear 618 and the movable body gear 620 can mesh with each other, and the brake body 630 has at least one of the drive gear 618 and the movable body gear 620. When moving in the thrust direction, the drive gear 618, the movable body gear 620, and the movable bodies 110 to 112 Since both of them are arranged so as to be in contact with each other, when the rotation is stopped, the movable body gear 620 is brought into contact with the brake body 630 to generate a frictional force, thereby braking the rotation due to the inertial force of the movable bodies 110 to 112. And the vibration at the time of rotation stop of a movable body can be suppressed effectively. Thereby, while adopting the drive gear 618 and the movable body gear 620 to reduce the size of the drive motor 616, it is possible to suppress vibration when the movable bodies 110 to 112 are stopped.

  The movable body gear 620 moves in a direction away from the brake body 630 when the drive motor 616 starts driving, and moves in a direction in contact with the brake body 630 when the drive motor 616 stops driving. Therefore, when the movable bodies 110 to 112 are rotating, the movable body gear 620 and the brake body 630 are not in contact with each other, and the rotation is stopped while preventing the rotation of the movable bodies 110 to 112 from being disturbed. In some cases, the movable body gear 620 and the brake body 630 can be brought into rapid contact with each other to brake the movable bodies 110 to 112.

  Moreover, since the brake body 630 functions to stop the operation of the movable bodies 110 to 112 when the drive motor 616 stops driving, it effectively suppresses vibration when the rotation of the movable bodies 110 to 112 is stopped. be able to.

  The movable bodies 110 to 112 further include a support body (support shaft in this embodiment) 623 that can rotate, and the movable bodies 110 to 112 include a reel band 610 on which a plurality of types of symbols are applied, and And a reel frame 612, 614 that supports the reel band 610. The support body 623 suppresses the movement of the movable bodies 110 to 112 in the thrust direction. Even when the thrust body receives the thrust load and moves in the thrust direction, the movable bodies 110 to 112 can be prevented from moving by being pulled by the movable bodies 110 to 112.

  In addition, since the movable body gear 620 includes an urging portion (wave washer in this embodiment) 632 that urges the movable bodies 110 to 112 in the thrust direction, the movable bodies 110 to 110 move along with the movement of the movable body gear 620. It is possible to prevent 112 from vibrating or swinging in the thrust direction.

  The structures of the drive gear, the movable body gear, and the brake body according to the present invention are not limited to those described above. Hereinafter, movable body gears and brake bodies having other structures will be described.

  FIGS. 11A to 11D are schematic diagrams showing the movable body gear 720 and the brake body 730. FIG. As shown in FIG. 5A, the movable body gear 720 has a sliding portion 720C on the end surface of the driven gear portion 720D that meshes with the drive gear 618 on the metal frame 626 side. The brake body 730 has a cylindrical shape whose base end is fixed to the metal frame 626, and has a contact portion 730A on the distal end surface. As described above, the movable body gear 620 moves in a direction away from the brake body 630 at the start of rotation (FIG. 11B), and moves in a direction closer to the brake body 630 when the rotation is stopped (FIG. 11C). .

  Note that only one brake body 730 may be provided as shown in FIGS. 11A to 11C, or around the support shaft 623 as shown in FIG. 11D. A plurality may be arranged side by side on the circumference. In this case, it is possible to prevent the movable body gear 720 from being inclined when it comes into contact with the brake body 730. Further, the shape of the brake body 730 is not limited to the one having the circular contact portion 730A. For example, the shape of the brake body 730 may be an arc shape or a U-shape that connects some of the brake bodies 730 shown in FIG. It may be of a letter shape.

  FIGS. 12A to 12D are schematic views showing the drive gear 718, the movable body gear 740, and the brake body 750. As shown in FIG. 5A, the movable body gear 740 does not have the sliding portion 740C, and the sliding portion 740C is provided on the metal frame 626 side of the first reel frame 612. The brake body 750 has a disk shape with one end disposed on the end surface of the drive gear 718 on the first reel frame 612 side, and has a contact portion 750A at the other end. As shown in FIG. 12D, the drive gear 718 includes a spline shaft 718A connected to the motor shaft 616A of the drive motor 616 and a drive portion 718B that is a helical gear fitted to the outer periphery of the spline shaft 718A. And is configured. That is, the drive unit 718B can move along the spline shaft 718A when receiving a thrust load. And the brake body is arrange | positioned at the drive part 718B, and moves with a drive part. In addition, since the drive part 718B is urged | biased from the axial direction both sides by the spring 718C, when not receiving the thrust load, the position of the drive part 718B is kept substantially constant.

  With the above configuration, in this structure, the movable body gear 740 does not move, and the drive unit 718B of the drive gear 718 receives the thrust load and moves in the thrust direction. That is, the drive unit 718B moves in a direction away from the sliding part 740C when rotation starts (FIG. 12B), and moves in a direction approaching the sliding part 740C when rotation stops (FIG. 12C). According to this structure, the first reel frame 612 can be braked directly.

  Note that the sliding portion 740C may be provided on the first reel frame 612 or may be provided on a member different from the first reel frame 612.

  FIGS. 13A to 13D are schematic views showing the drive gear 718, the movable body gear 760, and the brake body 770. This structure is another structure using the drive gear 718 described in FIG. As shown in FIG. 13A, the movable body gear 760 has a sliding portion 760C on the end surface of the driven gear portion 760D on the metal frame 626 side. The brake body 770 has a disk shape larger in diameter than the drive gear 718 and is disposed on the end surface of the drive portion 718B of the drive gear 718 on the drive motor 616 side. The contact portion 770A of the brake body 770 is provided on the end surface on the movable body gear 760 side. That is, the contact portion 770 </ b> A protrudes from the end of the drive gear 718 on the drive motor 616 side in a hook shape. Then, similarly to the above, the driving unit 718B moves in a direction away from the sliding part 760C when starting rotation (FIG. 13B), and moves in a direction approaching the sliding part 760C when stopping rotation (FIG. 13C). ).

  The structure of the brake body 770 may be left as it is, and the movable body gear 760 may move instead of the drive gear 718.

  14A to 14C are schematic views showing the drive gear 718, the movable body gear 780, and the brake body 790. FIG. In this structure, when a thrust load is received, both the drive unit 718B of the drive gear 718 and the movable body gear 790 move. As shown in FIG. 5A, the movable body gear 780 has a sliding portion 780C on the first reel frame 612 side of the driven gear portion 780D. In this structure, a sliding portion 780 </ b> C is further provided on the end surface of the driving portion 718 </ b> B of the driving gear 718 on the driving motor 616 side. And the brake body 790 is arrange | positioned in the position which opposes the two sliding parts 780C, and the contact part 790A faces the two sliding parts 780C, respectively. The drive unit 718B and the movable body gear of the drive gear 718 move away from the brake body 790 when rotation starts (FIG. 14B), and move closer to the brake body 790 when rotation stops (FIG. 14 ( c)). According to this structure, the reel 110 (111, 112) can be effectively braked by braking the movable body gear 780 and the drive gear 718, respectively.

  In addition, the movable body according to the present invention is not limited to the rotating bodies (reels) 110 to 112 described above, and may be, for example, the door device 163 of the effect device 157.

  FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view showing the door device 163 and a driving device 800 for driving the door device 163.

  The door device 163 has a horizontally long plate-like base 163A having a rectangular opening formed at the center, a door rail 163B disposed above and below the base 163A, and a linear reciprocating motion along the door rail 163B. A possible door 163C.

  The drive device 800 includes a drive motor 802, a drive gear 804 coupled to the drive motor 802 so as to be able to transmit power, and a movable body gear 806 that meshes with the drive gear 804. The gear 804 is a helical gear.

  Each door 163C of the door device 163 is formed with a helical gear 163D that can mesh with the movable body gear 806 of the drive device 800, and is driven by the drive device 800 to reciprocate linearly in the direction of arrow C in the drawing.

  In such a reciprocating linearly driven door device 163, as in the case of the reels 110 to 112 described above, at least one of the drive gear 802 and the movable body gear 804 can move in the thrust direction. By receiving a thrust load and moving in the thrust direction to contact the brake body and generating a frictional force, vibration generated due to the inertial force when the drive of the door device 163 is stopped is effectively suppressed. be able to.

  In addition, the game stand according to the present invention is provided with “a plurality of reels provided with a plurality of types of symbols, a start lever for starting the rotation of the reels, and a reel corresponding to each reel. A stop button for individually stopping the reel, lottery means for determining whether or not the internal winning of a predetermined role is determined by lottery, and a reel for stopping the reel based on the determination result of the lottery means and operation of the stop button Stop control means, and is configured to win the winning combination when the combination of symbols displayed by the reel at the time of stopping is a predetermined symbol combination corresponding to the winning combination internally Although it is suitable for the “slot machine”, it is not limited to the structure of the slot machine as shown in the above embodiment.

  Therefore, for example, in the above embodiment, an example of a slot machine using medals (coins) as a game medium has been shown, but the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, a game ball (for example, a pachinko ball) The present invention can also be applied to slot machines (so-called parrots), pachinko gaming machines, and the like that use as a game medium.

  Here, the pachinko gaming machine to which the present invention is applied includes a variable display device that has a movable body such as a reel (rotating body) and displays a predetermined pattern (identification information) in a variable manner, and a game ball at the start winning opening An example is a pachinko gaming machine in which a variable display device displays a stop after a symbol is changed, and notifies a transition of a gaming state, triggered by winning a prize.

  In such a pachinko gaming machine, when a game ball enters the start winning opening, a lottery is performed and it is determined whether or not the lottery result is a win. When winning the jackpot in this lottery, the variable display device displays a combination (a jackpot symbol; for example, 777) based on a specific symbol and shifts to a jackpot state. In the big hit state, for example, the big prize opening is kept open for a predetermined time or a predetermined number of times, so that the game ball is easy to enter and a state advantageous to the player is realized. In addition, if the combination of a specific symbol (hit jackpot symbol) is a jackpot symbol (probability variation symbol) with probability fluctuation, the probability of the next jackpot will be higher, and a more advantageous state for the player will be realized .

  The present invention can be applied to game machines represented by slot machines, pachinko gaming machines, and the like.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view of the slot machine 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. 3 is a circuit block diagram of a control unit in the slot machine 100. FIG. 6 is an external perspective view showing a state in which three variable display devices 602 are accommodated in a reel box 600. FIG. (A) is an exploded perspective view showing the members constituting the variable display device 602 in an exploded manner, and (b) is a diagram showing the taper angle α of the sliding portion 620C and the contact portion 630A. (A) is the schematic side view which shows the state which assembled the variable display apparatus 602, (b) is the schematic front view. (A) And (b) is a schematic sectional drawing which shows the state which assembled the variable display apparatus 602. FIG. It is the figure which expanded and showed the arrangement | sequence of the symbol given to the reel belt | band | zone 610 of each reel 110-112. (A) And (b) is a figure which shows the other method of energizing reel 110 (111,112). It is a figure which shows the case where the friction material 638 is provided in the internal peripheral surface of the sliding part 620C of the movable body gear 620. FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing a flow of main processing of the main control unit 300. (A)-(d) is the schematic which shows the movable body gear 720 and the brake body 730. FIG. (A)-(d) is the schematic which shows the drive gear 718, the movable body gear 740, and the brake body 750. FIG. (A)-(d) is the schematic which shows the drive gear 718, the movable body gear 760, and the brake body 770. FIG. (A)-(c) is the schematic which shows the drive gear 718, the movable body gear 780, and the brake body 790. FIG. It is the disassembled perspective view which showed the door apparatus 163 and the drive device 800 which drives this door apparatus 163.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 100 ... Slot machine 110, 111, 112 ... Reel 610 ... Reel strip 612 ... 1st reel frame 614 ... 2nd reel frame 616 ... Drive motor 618 ... Drive gear 620 ... Moveable body gear 623 ... Support shaft 630 ... Brake body 632 ... Wave washer

Claims (5)

A drive motor;
A drive gear composed of a helical gear coupled to the drive motor so as to be able to transmit power;
A movable body gear composed of a helical gear meshed with the drive gear;
A movable body connected to the movable body gear so as to transmit power;
A brake body that generates frictional force in contact with at least one of the drive gear, the movable body gear, and the movable body ,
At least one of the drive gear and the movable body gear is movable in the thrust direction within a range in which the drive gear and the movable body gear can mesh with each other,
The brake body is disposed so as to contact at least one of the drive gear, the movable body gear, and the movable body when at least one of the drive gear and the movable body gear moves in a thrust direction. A game table characterized by

The movable body gear is
When the drive motor starts driving, it moves away from the brake body,
When the drive motor stops driving, the drive motor moves in a direction in contact with the brake body,
The game table according to claim 1. The brake body functions to stop the operation of the movable body when the drive motor stops driving,
The game table according to claim 1 or 2. And further comprising a support for rotatably supporting the movable body,
The movable body is a rotating body configured to have a reel band to which a plurality of types of symbols are applied, and a reel frame that supports the reel band,
The support body suppresses movement of the movable body in a thrust direction,
The game table according to claim 1. The movable body gear includes an urging portion that urges the movable body in a thrust direction.
The game table according to claim 1.