JP5811528B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a gaming machine such as a pachinko machine.

One type of gaming machine is a pachinko machine. The pachinko machine, various ball detection switch for detecting game balls are provided.

For example proximity switches used as sphere detection switch, by detecting a change in magnetic flux due to the passage of the game ball detecting the passage of the game ball (e.g., see Patent Document 1).

JP 2002-239169 A

  However, in general, the size of the ball passage to which the proximity switch is attached is formed larger than the size of the passage hole of the proximity switch so as not to hinder the flow of the game ball. Therefore, there is a possibility that the game ball flowing down collides with the peripheral hole of the proximity switch exposed in the ball passage, causing the proximity switch to break or break down.

  The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems and the like, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of suppressing the occurrence of a failure or the like.

In order to achieve the above object, a gaming machine according to claim 1 is:
A ball passage component having a ball passage through which a game ball can flow down;
A ball detecting means having a passage hole through which a game ball can pass and capable of detecting a game ball passing through the passage hole;
In the gaming machine in which the ball detecting means is attached to the ball path component so that the passage hole faces the ball path,
The ball passage component is
The ball detection means extends from the inner wall surface of the ball passage along the upper surface of the ball detection means toward the inside of the ball passage, and at least a part of the edge of the ball detection means extends along the peripheral shape of the passage hole of the ball detection means. With formed protective pieces ,
The gist of the ball detection means is that the game ball is not detected unless the game ball passes through the passage hole .

A gaming machine according to claim 2 is the gaming machine according to claim 1,
In a part of the ball passage, a bulging portion bulging from the inside to the outside of the ball passage,
The gist is that the protective piece is provided on the bulging portion.

  According to the gaming machine of the present invention, there is an excellent effect that the occurrence of a failure or the like can be suppressed.

It is a front view which shows the pachinko machine in one Embodiment. It is a perspective view of a pachinko machine. It is a perspective view which shows the state which open | released the inner frame and the front frame set. It is a front view which shows the structure of an inner frame and a game board. It is a rear view which shows the structure of an inner frame and a game board. It is a rear view which shows the structure of a pachinko machine. It is a rear view of a ball collection member. It is the fragmentary perspective view which looked at the back view left part of the ball collection member from the back side. It is the fragmentary perspective view which looked at the back view left part of the ball collection member from the front side. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. It is the fragmentary perspective view which looked at the back view left part of the ball | bowl collection | recovery member cut | disconnected by the AA line of FIG. 7 from the back side. It is the fragmentary perspective view which looked at the back view left part of the ball | bowl collection | recovery member cut | disconnected by the AA line of FIG. 7 from the front side. It is the sectional view on the AA line of FIG. 7 of the state which removed the winning opening switch. It is the fragmentary perspective view which looked at the back view left part of the ball recovery member cut | disconnected by the AA line of FIG. 7 of the state which removed the winning opening switch from the back side. It is the fragmentary perspective view which looked at the rear view left part of the ball recovery member cut | disconnected by the AA line of FIG. 7 of the state which removed the winning opening switch from the front side. It is a block diagram which shows an electric structure. It is a block diagram which shows the electrical connection structure of a ball entry detection switch and a main controller. It is a cross-sectional schematic diagram for demonstrating the relationship between an entrance detection switch and its detection range. (A) is a figure for demonstrating the change of the magnetic field etc. in an entrance detection switch, (b) is a timing chart for demonstrating the output signal from an entrance detection switch. It is a flowchart which shows a switch reading process. (A) is a timing chart for demonstrating the output signal from a ball entry detection switch, (b) is a timing chart for demonstrating the input signal to CPU. (A) is a figure for demonstrating the change of the magnetic field etc. of a proximity switch (entrance detection switch) at the time of fraud, (b) is for demonstrating the output signal from the proximity switch at that time It is a timing chart. (A) is a figure for demonstrating the change of the magnetic field etc. of a proximity switch (prize ball detection switch) at the time of cheating, (b) is for demonstrating the output signal from the proximity switch at that time It is a timing chart. (A) is sectional drawing which shows the conventional ball | bowl collection | recovery member, (b) is sectional drawing which shows the state which removed the winning combination switch from there.

As described above, there is a pachinko machine as a kind of gaming machine. The pachinko machine is provided with various ball detecting means for detecting a game ball.

For example, in a game area where a launched game ball is guided, various entry means capable of entering the game ball are provided, and game balls that have entered the entry means corresponding to these entry means A ball detection switch is provided for detecting the above.

When the detection signal output from the entrance detection switch is input to the main control device, the main control device performs various controls relating to the game based on these detection signals. For example, when a game ball enters a predetermined entrance means, the main control device transmits a payout command corresponding to the detection result to the payout control device. In addition, when a game ball enters the starting ball entry means, a winning lottery is performed to determine whether or not a big hit state is to be generated, and if a win result is obtained, a big hit state advantageous to the player is generated. When the big hit state occurs, the player can obtain a lot of prize balls by putting the game ball into the big hitting means.

On the other hand, the payout control device drives and controls the payout device so as to pay out the number of prize balls corresponding to the payout command from the main control device. The payout device includes a prize ball detection switch that detects a prize ball that has been paid out, and the payout control device pays out a prize ball as scheduled based on detection information detected by the prize ball detection switch. Know whether or not.

As a general sphere detection switch, many proximity switches that are non-contact type and have excellent durability are employed.

The proximity switch detects the passage of the game ball, for example, by detecting a change in magnetic flux accompanying the passage of the game ball.

More specifically, the proximity switch has a passage hole through which a game ball passes, a detection coil disposed around the passage hole, and a high-frequency oscillation circuit connected to the detection coil. When the game ball passes through the passage hole, an induced current flows through the metal game ball due to electromagnetic induction. In this case, the oscillation amplitude, the oscillation frequency, and the like change in the high-frequency oscillation circuit due to changes in the inductance and loss of the detection coil. By detecting this with the detection circuit, the passage of the game ball can be detected in a non-contact manner. A signal detected by the detection circuit is output to the outside through an output circuit including a comparator.

Under the above configuration, in a normal state where the game ball does not pass through the passage hole, a low level signal is output from the output terminal of the proximity switch, while on the other hand, when the game ball passes through the passage hole, the high level is output. A signal is output. The main control device can detect that the game ball has passed by detecting the change in the signal level (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

However, in general, the size of the ball passage to which the proximity switch is attached is formed larger than the size of the passage hole of the proximity switch so as not to hinder the flow of the game ball. Therefore, there is a possibility that the game ball flowing down collides with the peripheral hole of the proximity switch exposed in the ball passage, causing the proximity switch to break or break down.

The present invention has been made to solve the above-described problems and the like, and an object thereof is to provide a gaming machine capable of suppressing the occurrence of a failure or the like.

  Hereinafter, an embodiment of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter simply referred to as “pachinko machine”) will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. Here, FIG. 1 is a front view of the pachinko machine 10, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing a state in which the inner frame 12 and the front frame set 14 are opened. However, in FIG. 3, for the sake of convenience, nails and accessories placed on the surface of the game board 30, a glass unit 137 attached to the front frame set 14, and the like are omitted.

  As shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 3, the pachinko machine 10 includes an outer frame 11 that forms an outline of the pachinko machine 10, and an inner frame 12 is supported on one side of the outer frame 11 so as to be openable and closable. ing. The outer frame 11 is formed in a rectangular shape as a whole by, for example, a wooden plate material, and each plate material is assembled by a detachable fastener such as a small screw.

  An upper hinge 81 and a lower hinge 82 are provided on the left side of the outer frame 11. The upper and lower hinges 81 and 82 support the upper and lower portions of the inner frame 12 so as to be rotatable, thereby supporting the inner frame 12 so that it can be opened and closed. For convenience, although not shown, a pair of upper and lower metal fittings to which the locking member of the locking device 600 is locked are attached to the right side of the outer frame 11. Furthermore, a resin curtain decoration 85 is attached to the lower part of the outer frame 11.

  The opening / closing axis of the inner frame 12 is set up and down on the left side when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10 as described above, and the inner frame 12 can be opened forward with the opening / closing axis serving as an axis. Yes. The inner frame 12 is mainly composed of a blue resin base 38 whose outer shape is rectangular, and a substantially elliptical window hole 39 is formed at the center of the resin base 38.

  A front frame set 14 is attached to the front side of the inner frame 12 so as to be openable and closable. As with the inner frame 12, the front frame set 14 can be opened forward with an opening / closing axis set along the top and bottom on the left side when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 10.

  The front frame set 14 has a rectangular outer shape like the inner frame 12, and covers almost the entire front side of the inner frame 12 in the closed state. A substantially elliptical window 101 is formed at the center of the front frame set 14. Thereby, the game board 30 (game area) attached to the rear surface of the inner frame 12 can be visually recognized from the outside through the window portion 101 of the front frame set 14 and the window hole 39 of the inner frame 12. The detailed configuration of the game board 30 will be described later.

  On the front side of the front frame set 14, a lower tray 15 as a ball receiving tray is provided at the center of the lower portion thereof, so that game balls discharged from the discharge port 16 can be stored in the lower tray 15. In addition, on the front side of the lower plate 15, a ball removal lever 25 for discharging the game ball from the lower plate 15 is provided.

  A game ball launching handle (hereinafter simply referred to as a handle) 18 projecting toward the front side is provided on the right side of the lower plate 15, and an ashtray 26 is provided on the left side of the lower plate 15. The handle 18 includes a touch sensor (not shown) and an operation amount detection means (not shown) for detecting the operation amount of the operation unit of the handle 18 (the operation amount can be detected by detecting a change in electrical resistance. Is provided).

  An upper plate 19 is provided above the lower plate 15. The upper plate 19 is a ball tray that temporarily stores the game balls and guides them toward a game ball launch unit (hereinafter simply referred to as a launch unit) 70 while aligning them in a row. The game ball overflowing from the upper plate 19 is guided to the lower plate 15.

  The upper plate 19 is provided with a ball lending button 121 and a return button 122. As a result, when the ball lending button 121 is operated in a game hall or the like with a bill or a card inserted into a card unit (ball lending unit) arranged on the side of the pachinko machine 10, according to the operation. Rental balls are supplied to the upper plate 19. On the other hand, the return button 122 is operated when requesting the return of a card or the like inserted into the card unit. However, the ball lending button 121 and the return button 122 are not necessary for a pachinko machine in which game balls are directly lending to the upper plate 19 from a ball lending device or the like without using a card unit, so-called cash machine.

  In addition, light emitting means such as various lamps are provided around the front surface of the front frame set 14. These light emitting means play a role of enhancing the effect of the game during the game by changing and controlling the light emission mode such as lighting and blinking according to the change of the game state at the time of big hit or predetermined reach. For example, an annular illumination part 102 incorporating a light emitting means such as an LED is provided at the periphery of the window part 101, and an LED or the like is provided at the center of the annular illumination part 102 and at the top of the pachinko machine 10. There is provided a central illumination unit 103 incorporating the light emitting means. In the pachinko machine 10, the central illumination unit 103 functions as a jackpot lamp, and lights and blinks when the jackpot is informed that the jackpot is being hit. Further, an error display lamp 104 that is turned on at the time of a predetermined error is provided on the left and right sides of the central illumination unit 103. A speaker SP (see FIG. 16) is provided adjacent to each error display lamp 104, and a speaker cover 24 is attached to the front side of the speaker SP.

  A glass unit 137 is attached to the back side of the front frame set 14. The glass unit 137 is not a pair of front and rear rectangular glass plates that are attached to the front and back of the glass unit 137, but is attached in a round shape as a whole and assembled.

  Next, the inner frame 12 (resin base 38) will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 is a front view showing the configuration of the inner frame and the game board, and FIG. 5 is a rear view showing the configuration of the inner frame and the game board.

  As described above, the game board 30 is attached to the inner frame 12 (resin base 38) on the rear side of the window hole 39. The game board 30 is attached in a state in which the peripheral edge thereof is in contact with the back side of the inner frame 12 (resin base 38). Therefore, a substantially central portion of the front surface portion of the game board 30 is exposed to the front surface side of the inner frame 12 through the window hole 39 of the resin base 38.

  Further, a bulging portion 40 bulging rearward is formed at a lower portion of the inner frame 12 (resin base 38), that is, a position below the window hole 39 (game board 30). A launch unit 70 is attached to the front right side of the bulging portion 40.

  The launch unit 70 includes a launch device 70b as launch means, a launch rail 70c, and a ball feed mechanism 70d on a metal base plate 70a fixed to the bulging portion 40.

  The launch rail 70c is for guiding a game ball launched by the launch device 70b, and extends linearly so as to have a predetermined launch angle. Then, the game ball launched obliquely upward along the launch rail 70c is thereafter guided to the game area along the rail 50 described later.

  The ball feeding mechanism 70d is for guiding the game balls guided from the upper plate 19 side one by one to the base end portion of the firing rail 70c in synchronization with the firing operation of the launching device 70b.

  In this embodiment, a solenoid-type launching device is employed as the launching device 70b. The operation of the launch device 70b is controlled by the launch control device 312. The firing control device 312 varies the voltage applied to the coil in accordance with the amount of operation of the handle 18 by the player. As a result, the magnetic force generated in the solenoid is adjusted, the displacement speed of the plunger is changed, and the firing speed of the game ball and thus the flying amount is adjusted. Further, the firing control device 312 controls the applied voltage to the coil in a pulsed manner, so that the excitation / non-excitation state of the solenoid is alternately switched at a predetermined cycle, and the firing operation is repeatedly performed repeatedly. Become.

  Further, the bulging portion 40 is provided with a ball passage 71 that leads from a later-described payout mechanism portion 352 to the discharge port 16 of the lower plate 15. In addition, there is a predetermined gap between a firing rail 70c of the firing unit 70 and a rail 50 (outer rail constituting portion 52) described later, and a foul ball passage 72 is formed below the gap. As a result, if a game ball launched from the launch unit 70 does not reach the return ball prevention member 53 described later and returns to the rail 50 as a foul ball, the foul ball passes through the foul ball passage 72 and the ball passage 71. It is discharged to the lower tray 15 via

  Further, a locking device 600 is provided on the back side of the right side of the inner frame 12. The locking device 600 is provided with a cylinder lock 700 exposed on the front side of the front frame set 14, and the inner frame 12 can be unlocked by inserting a key into the key hole of the cylinder lock 700 and rotating it to one side. The front frame set 14 and the back pack unit 203 can be unlocked by rotating to the other side. In the present embodiment, the inner frame 12 is locked to the outer frame 11, and the front frame set 14 and the back pack unit 203 are locked to the inner frame 12.

  Next, the configuration of the game board 30 will be described with reference to FIG. The game board 30 includes a general winning port 31, a variable winning device 32, a first opportunity corresponding port (operating port) 33, a second opportunity corresponding port 34, a variable display unit 35, and the like in a through hole formed by router processing. The game board 30 is attached from the front side of the game board 30 with wood screws or the like. As is well known, when a game ball enters (wins) the general winning port 31, the variable winning device 32, and the first opportunity corresponding port 33, the upper plate 19 is output by the output of a detection switch (described later) provided correspondingly. A predetermined number of prize balls are paid out to (or the lower plate 15). In addition, the game board 30 is provided with an out port 36, and game balls that have not won a prize in various winning units (general winning port 31, variable winning device 32, first opportunity corresponding port 33) as a means for entering a ball. Is discharged out of the game area through the out port 36. In addition, the game board 30 is provided with a large number of nails for appropriately dispersing and adjusting the falling direction of the game balls, and various members such as windmills (servants).

  In addition, when a game ball enters the first opportunity corresponding port 33, a jackpot lottery is performed, and when a winning result is obtained by the jackpot lottery, a jackpot state as a special gaming state occurs.

  The variable display device unit 35 includes a normal symbol display device 41 that variably displays with the passage of the second opportunity corresponding port 34 as a trigger, a special display device 43 that variably displays with a winning at the first opportunity corresponding port 33 as a trigger, A decorative symbol display device 42 is provided as a variable display device that performs variable display in accordance with the variable display by the special display device 43.

  The normal symbol display device 41 includes a plurality of light emitting means (LEDs), and each time the game ball passes through the second opportunity corresponding port 34, the lighting display mode is switched and displayed (variable display), and the variable display is specified. The first opportunity corresponding port 33 is configured to be activated (opened) for a predetermined time when the lighting mode is stopped for several seconds. The display contents of the normal symbol display device 41 are directly controlled by a main control device 261 described later. In addition, when a game ball newly passes through the second opportunity corresponding port 34 during the fluctuation display of the normal symbol display device 41, the fluctuation display of the normal symbol for that time is the fluctuation display being performed at that time. It is the structure performed after the end of. That is, the variable display is on standby (held). The maximum number of the variable display to be held is determined for each model of the pachinko machine, but in this embodiment, it is held up to 4 times, and the hold number is lit and displayed by the hold lamp 44. Yes.

  The special display device 43 is composed of a plurality of light emitting units provided on the side of the normal symbol display device 41, and the combination of the light emitting units that are turned on each time the game ball passes through the first opportunity corresponding port 33 is switched ( Display fluctuating). And whether it is a big hit or not is definitely displayed by the combination of the light emitting sections that are lit when the variable display is stopped. The display content of the special display device 43 is also directly controlled by the main control device 261. Further, when a game ball is newly won in the first opportunity corresponding port 33 during the variable display of the special display device 43, the corresponding variable display is performed after the end of the variable display at that time. It has a configuration. That is, the variable display is on standby (held). The maximum number of the variable display to be held is determined for each model of the pachinko machine, but in this embodiment, it is held up to 4 times, and the hold number is lit and displayed by the hold lamp 46. Yes. In addition, when a new game ball wins the first opportunity corresponding port 33 during the big hit state, the corresponding change display is also suspended.

  The decorative symbol display device 42 is a liquid crystal display device, and display contents are controlled by a sub-control device 560 described later. That is, in the decorative symbol display device 42, auxiliary display contents are determined by the sub-control device 560 based on a command from the main control device 261 so as to correspond to the result displayed on the special display device 43, The display is performed by a display control device 45 described later. On the decorative symbol display device 42, for example, three symbol rows of upper, middle and lower are displayed. Each symbol sequence is composed of a plurality of symbols, and these symbols are scrolled and displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42 so as to be scrolled for each symbol sequence, and then the upper symbol sequence → the lower symbol sequence → the middle symbol sequence. Stops are displayed in order. The variable display device unit 35 is provided with a center frame 47 so as to surround the decorative symbol display device 42. In the center frame 47, light emitting means such as various LEDs, an LED control board for driving the LEDs, and the like are also disposed.

  The variable winning device 32 is normally in a closed state in which a game ball cannot be won or difficult to win, and is in an open state in which a game ball is likely to win in the case of a big hit (occurrence of a special game state). Specifically, the passage of a predetermined time or a predetermined number of winnings is defined as one round, and the large winning opening of the variable winning device 32 is repeatedly opened a predetermined number of times (a predetermined number of rounds).

  Further, the game board 30 is provided with a rail 50 for guiding the game ball launched from the launch unit 70 to the upper part of the game board 30. As a result, the game balls launched in accordance with the turning operation of the handle 18 are guided through the rails 50 into the game area formed on the game board surface. The rail 50 includes an inner rail component 51 and an outer rail component 52.

  A return ball preventing member 53 is attached to the tip portion of the inner rail constituting portion 51. This prevents a situation in which the game ball once guided from the rail 50 to the upper part of the game board 30 returns to the rail 50 again.

  In the present embodiment, the outer rail component 52 is interrupted at the upper right portion of the game board 30, and the inner rail component 51 is interrupted at the lower right portion of the game board 30. For this reason, the game area is defined by the inner peripheral surface of the rail 50 and the window hole 39 of the resin base 38. However, the parallel part of the inner and outer rail components 51 and 52 is excluded.

  Next, the back configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described with reference to FIGS. Various control boards are arranged on the back surface of the pachinko machine 10 so as to be lined up and down and left and right and partially overlapped in the front and back. Furthermore, a game ball supply device (payout mechanism) for supplying game balls, a protective cover made of resin, and the like are attached. In this embodiment, various control boards are divided into two mounting bases to form two control board units, and these control board units are individually attached to the inner frame 12 or the back of the game board 30. Yes. In this case, only the main board as the main control board is mounted on one mounting base to form a unit, and the dispensing control board, launch control board and power supply board are mounted on the other mounting base to form a unit. Here, for convenience, the former unit is referred to as “first control board unit 201”, and the latter unit is referred to as “second control board unit 202”. In addition, since the dispensing mechanism and the protective cover are integrated as one unit, and the resin portion is generally referred to as a back pack, the unit is referred to as a “back pack unit 203”. The detailed configuration of each unit 201 to 203 will be described later. The first control board unit 201, the second control board unit 202, and the back pack unit 203 are configured to be detachable in units, and further, a support shaft is provided in part to provide the inner frame 12 or game board. 30 is configured to be openable and closable with respect to the back surface.

  First, the back configuration of the game board 30 will be described. As described above, the variable display device unit 35 is disposed in the center of the game board 30 with respect to the through hole formed by router processing.

  A resin frame cover 213 that covers the center frame 47 from behind is provided at the rear of the variable display device unit 35 so as to protrude rearward. However, in the present embodiment, the center frame 47 is fixed to the front side of the game board 30 and the frame cover 213 is fixed to the back side of the game board 30 so that the variable display device unit 35 is integrated. ing. A decorative symbol display device 42 as a liquid crystal display device and a display control device 45 are attached to the rear end of the frame cover 213 in a state where they are overlapped and integrated (unitized). Further, a sub-control device 560 is attached to the back side of the display control device 45.

  As will be described later, the sub-control device 560 includes a CPU that controls various effects according to instructions from the main control device 261 (main board), a ROM that stores various programs, and a RAM that stores necessary data according to the progress of the game. , Equipped with a sub-control board including a port for communicating with various devices, a random number generator used in various lotteries, a clock pulse generating circuit used for time counting and synchronization, etc. The sub control board is housed in a board box 562 made of a transparent resin material or the like.

  A back frame set 215 is attached to the back surface of the game board 30 so as to surround the variable display device unit 35. The back frame set 215 is a thin resin molded product provided so as to stick to the back surface of the game board 30. Further, below the back frame set 215, a ball collecting member 216 for collecting game balls won in various winning units is attached. The ball collection member 216 is a member integrally formed of a resin material, and a ball passage 231 that guides the game ball that has won a prize to the aforementioned general prize opening 31, the variable prize winning device 32, and the first opportunity corresponding opening 33 to the downstream side. , 232, 233 (see FIG. 7). The ball collection member 216 constitutes a ball passage constituting member in the present embodiment.

  Further, the second control board unit 202 is formed with a discharge passage portion 217 at a position below the ball collecting member 216, and a discharge chute 218 for discharging the discharge ball to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 is formed in the discharge passage portion 217. It is formed (see FIG. 6). Accordingly, all the game balls won in the general winning opening 31 and the like are guided to the discharge passage portion 217 via the ball collecting member 216 and further discharged to the outside of the pachinko machine 10 via the discharge chute 218 of the discharge passage portion 217. . Similarly, the out port 36 leads to the discharge passage portion 217, and the game ball that has not won any winning port is discharged outside the pachinko machine 10 through the discharge chute 218.

  In addition, on the back side of the game board 30, corresponding to various winning ports such as a general winning port 31 as a winning means, a ball detection switch for detecting a game ball that has entered the various winning ports (entry detection) Means).

  Specifically, a winning port switch 221 is provided corresponding to the general winning port 31 on the front side of the game board 30, and a count switch 223 is provided corresponding to the variable winning device 32. The count switch 223 is a switch that counts the game balls won in the variable winning device 32. Further, a first opportunity corresponding port (starting port) switch 224 is provided at a position corresponding to the first opportunity corresponding port 33, and a second opportunity corresponding port (gate) switch is provided at a position corresponding to the second opportunity corresponding port 34. 225 is provided.

  Among these, the prize opening switch 221 is attached to the ball collection member 216. On the other hand, the count switch 223, the first opportunity corresponding port switch 224, and the second opportunity corresponding port switch 225 are attached to the variable winning device 32, the first opportunity corresponding port 33, and the second opportunity corresponding port 34, respectively.

  Here, the configuration of various incoming ball detection switches will be described. In the present embodiment, a penetration type proximity switch that is generally used in the past is employed as the prize winning port switch 221, the count switch 223, the first opportunity corresponding port switch 224, and the second opportunity corresponding port switch 225.

  The penetration type proximity switch has a thin plate-like substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape and has a passage hole through which a game ball passes (see FIG. 11 and the like). A detection coil connected to a high-frequency oscillation circuit is disposed around the passage hole. When the game ball passes through the passage hole, an induced current flows through the metal game ball due to electromagnetic induction. In this case, the oscillation amplitude, the oscillation frequency, and the like change in the high-frequency oscillation circuit due to changes in the inductance and loss of the detection coil. By detecting this with the detection circuit, the passage of the game ball can be detected in a non-contact manner. A signal detected by the detection circuit is output to the outside through an output circuit including a comparator.

  Next, the structure for attaching the winning prize switch 221 to the ball collection member 216 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 7 is a rear view of the ball collection member 216. FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the left part of the sphere collecting member 216 as viewed from the rear side, and FIG. 9 is a partial perspective view of the sphere collection member 216 as viewed from the front side. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA of FIG. 7, and FIG. 11 is a partial perspective view of the left part of the ball recovery member 216 cut along the line AA as seen from the back side. 12 is a partial perspective view as viewed from the front side. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 7 with the winning opening switch 221 removed, and FIG. 14 shows the left side of the ball collecting member 216 cut along the line AA from the rear side. FIG. 15 is a partial perspective view as seen from the front side.

  Each of the left and right ball passages 231 includes two upstream portions 231a and 231b corresponding to the two winning opening switches 221 and a downstream portion 231c where the upstream portions 231a and 231b merge to form one. Has been.

  The ball passage 231 is defined by the back wall portion 401 of the ball collection member 216, various ribs formed to protrude forward from the back wall portion 401, and the back surface portion of the game board 30 to which the ball collection member 216 is attached. Is done. Among them, most of the downstream portion 231c is composed of ribs 402 and 403 extending in parallel in the vertical direction, and left and right side walls thereof.

  Most of the inside of the ball passage 231 is formed in a substantially square cross section having a side of 12 mm with a little margin, while the diameter of the game ball passing therethrough is 11 mm. Of course, the diameter of the game ball and the size of the ball passage 231 are not limited to this.

  A bulging portion 405 bulging from the inner side of the passage toward the outer side is formed in the back wall portion 401 at a predetermined position of the downstream portion 231c.

  A mounting hole 406 is formed at a substantially central portion in the vertical direction of the bulging portion 405 so as to pass therethrough so that the winning port switch 221 can be inserted into the ball passage 231.

  The mounting hole 406 is formed such that the opening width Y1 along the vertical direction (passage direction) is substantially the same as the vertical width of the winning port switch 221 (width in the through direction of the passage hole 221d). In addition, the opening width Y2 along the left-right direction (the direction perpendicular to the passage direction) is formed to be substantially the same width as the left-right width of the winning opening switch 221. Thus, when the winning opening switch 221 is attached to the attachment hole 406, no gap is formed between them.

  The bulging portion 405 is provided with extending pieces 407 and 408 extending from the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the attachment hole 406 toward the inside of the passage. As a result, when the winning opening switch 221 is attached, the extended pieces 407 and 408 are in contact with the upper surface portion 221f and the lower surface portion 221g of the winning opening switch 221, respectively.

  The edge portions 407a and 408a of the extending pieces 407 and 408 are formed in a substantially U shape from the rib 402 to the rib 403, and are configured so as not to block the passage hole 221d when the winning opening switch 221 is attached. Has been.

  Specifically, of the end edge portions 407a and 408a, the portion located on the rear side (the bulging portion 405 side) from the center of the passage hole 221d of the prize opening switch 221 is substantially along the peripheral shape of the passage hole 221d. It is formed in an arc shape. On the other hand, in the front (game board 30 side) portion from the center of the passage hole 221d, it is linearly formed so that the amount of protrusion from the ribs 402 and 403 is constant.

  However, in the present embodiment, the amount of protrusion from the bulging portion 405 and the ribs 402 and 403 is set to be extremely small except for the corner portions of the bulging portion 405 and the ribs 402 and 403 and the vicinity thereof. For example, with respect to the front (game board 30 side) portion from the center of the passage hole 221d, one side of the ball passage 231 is set to 12 mm as described above, and the diameter of the passage hole 221d of the prize opening switch 221 is described later. Is set to 11.4 mm, the amount of protrusion of the edge portions 407 a and 408 a from the ribs 402 and 403 is set to 0.3 mm. This is in consideration of the size of the ball passage 231 and the passage hole 221d of the winning hole switch 221. Of course, it is not limited to such a configuration, and the protruding amount of the edge portions 407a and 408a. Can be changed as appropriate within a range that does not block the passage hole 221d of the winning opening switch 221.

  On the other hand, on the back side of the bulging portion 405, a pair of left and right support portions 411 and 412 extending from the left and right edge portions of the mounting hole 406 toward the rear are provided. Both support portions 411 and 412 are bent in directions in which the upper edge and the lower edge face each other, and have a substantially U-shaped cross section. Thereby, the groove parts 413 and 414 are formed on the opposite sides of the support parts 411 and 412, respectively.

  The groove portions 413, 414 are continuously formed to the wall surfaces of the ribs 402, 403 between the extending pieces 407, 408 through the attachment holes 406, and the attachment holes 406 from the support portions 411, 412 side. The winning opening switch 221 can be inserted between the extending pieces 407 and 408 along the front-rear direction.

  A regulating piece 415 is provided at the front end of the groove portions 413 and 414 so as to be bridged from the rib 402 to the rib 403. The vertical width of the restriction piece 415 is substantially the same as the vertical width of the groove portions 413 and 414. That is, the restriction piece 415 is provided between the extension pieces 407 and 408.

  Further, an arm portion 417 is formed at the rear end portion of the support portion 412 so as to protrude further rearward therefrom. A locking claw 418 that protrudes toward the support portion 411 is formed at the rear end portion of the arm portion 417.

  Next, the attachment procedure and attachment state of the winning prize switch 221 will be described.

  First, while elastically deforming the arm portion 417, the arm portion 417 is inserted into the attachment hole 406 along the support portions 411 and 412 from the front side (passing hole 221d side) of the winning opening switch 221.

  Then, the winning opening switch 221 is inserted along the grooves 413, 414, and when the front end of the winning opening switch 221 reaches the restricting piece 415, the rear end of the winning opening switch 221 passes through the locking claw 418. Then, the arm part 417 is restored. Thereby, the rear end portion of the winning opening switch 221 is locked to the locking claw 418, and the mounting of the winning opening switch 221 is completed.

  In the attached state of the winning opening switch 221, the movement of the winning opening switch 221 in the front-rear direction is restricted by the restricting piece 415 and the locking claw 418, and the up and down direction by the extending pieces 407, 408 and the support portions 411, 412, etc. Movement is regulated.

  The arc portions of the edge portions 407a and 408a of the extending pieces 407 and 408 are arranged along the peripheral edge portion of the passage hole 221d, and the game ball can pass through the passage hole 221d. As a result, at least a portion of the upper surface portion 221f and the lower surface portion 221g of the winning port switch 221 located on the rear side from the center of the passage hole 221d is covered with the extending pieces 407 and 408.

  Now, although not shown in the drawings, the variable winning device 32 is provided with a large winning opening solenoid for opening the large winning opening, and the first opportunity corresponding opening 33 is provided with a first winning opening for opening the electric accessory. A one-time opportunity corresponding opening (starting opening) solenoid is provided.

  Detection results respectively detected by the above-mentioned ball detection switches are taken into a main board (main control device 261) described later, and a payout command (the number of game balls to be paid out) according to the winning situation each time from the main board. Is sent to the payout control board. Then, a predetermined number of game balls are paid out by the output of the payout control board. In the pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment, the winning of the game ball is electrically sensed for each of the various winning openings, and the payout is immediately performed.

  The main control device 261 provided in the first control board unit 201 includes a CPU that performs main control, a ROM that stores a game program, a RAM that stores necessary data according to the progress of the game, and communication with various devices. Port, a random number generator used for various lotteries, and a main board including a clock pulse generation circuit used for time counting and synchronization, etc. The main board is a transparent resin material, etc. The board box 263 is configured to be accommodated.

  The substrate box 263 includes a substantially rectangular parallelepiped box base and a box cover that covers the opening of the box base. The box base and the box cover are connected by a sealing unit, and when the substrate box 263 is opened, a predetermined trace is left in the sealing unit. As a result, it is possible to easily find out that the board box 263 has been illegally opened.

  The second control board unit 202 includes a payout control device 311, a launch control device 312, a power supply device 313, and a card unit connection board 314. The payout control device 311, the launch control device 312, and the power supply device 313 are equipped with a control board including a central control CPU, ROM, RAM, various ports and the like as is well known. The payout of prize balls and rental balls is controlled by the substrate. In addition, the launch control board of the launch control apparatus 312 controls the launch apparatus and the like according to the operation of the handle 18 by the player, and the power supply board of the power supply apparatus 313 generates a predetermined power supply voltage required for various control apparatuses and the like. Is output.

  The payout control device 311, the launch control device 312, and the power supply device 313 are also housed in the corresponding substrate boxes 315, 316, and 317. However, the launch control device 312 (substrate box 316) is disposed behind the power supply device 313 (substrate box 317). Further, the substrate box 315 in which the dispensing control device 311 is accommodated is provided with a sealing unit in the same manner as the main control device 261 described above, so that a trace of opening the substrate box 315 remains.

  The payout control device 311 is provided with a state return switch 321. For example, when the state return switch 321 is pressed when a payout error occurs, such as a ball clogged in the payout motor unit, the payout motor is rotated forward and reverse to eliminate the ball clogging (return to a normal state).

  The power supply device 313 is provided with a RAM erase switch 323. This pachinko machine 10 has a backup function, so that even if a power failure occurs, the pachinko machine 10 retains the state at the time of the power failure and can be restored to the state at the time of the power failure when returning from the power failure (power recovery). it can. Therefore, when the power is turned off in the normal procedure (for example, at the end of the game hall), the state before the power is turned off is stored, so that if you want to return to the initial state when turning on the power, hold down the RAM erase switch 323 .

  Next, the configuration of the back pack unit 203 will be described. The back pack unit 203 is a unit in which a resin-formed back pack 351 and a game ball payout mechanism 352 are integrated.

  The back pack 351 is integrally formed of, for example, ABS resin, and has a protective cover portion 354 that protrudes rearward from the pachinko machine and has a substantially rectangular parallelepiped shape. The protective cover portion 354 has a shape in which the left and right side surfaces and the upper surface are closed and the front surface and the lower surface are opened, and has a size sufficient to surround at least the variable display device unit 35. However, in the present embodiment, a part of the main controller 261 is also covered. The variable display device unit 35 is protected by a protective cover 354 from a game ball or the like falling from an upper tank 355 or the like which will be described later. In addition, a large number of ventilation holes 354 a are provided on the back surface of the protective cover portion 354.

  The payout mechanism 352 is disposed so as to bypass the protective cover 354. That is, a tank 355 opened upward is provided above the protective cover portion 354, and game balls supplied from island facilities of the game arcade are sequentially supplied to the tank 355. Below the tank 355, for example, a tank rail 356 that has two rows of ball passages in the horizontal direction and that is gently inclined toward the downstream side is connected. Further, a case rail 357 is formed vertically on the downstream side of the tank rail 356. It is connected. The payout device 358 is provided at the most downstream portion of the case rail 357, and a required number of game balls are paid out appropriately according to a predetermined electrical configuration such as a payout motor 358a. Then, the game balls paid out from the payout device 358 are supplied to the upper plate 19 and the like.

  Of course, the payout mechanism unit 352 is provided with a payout count switch (payout ball detecting means) for detecting a game ball paid out from the payout device 358 at a predetermined position (for example, in the payout device 358). In this embodiment, a through-type proximity switch provided with a passage hole through which a game ball can pass is employed as the payout count switch. That is, the configuration of the payout count switch is the same as that of the respective entrance detection switches such as the winning a prize opening switch 221.

  The payout mechanism 352 is provided with a payout relay board 381 for relaying a payout command signal from the payout control device 311 to the payout device 358, and a power switch board 382 for taking in the main power from the outside. Yes. The power switch board 382 is supplied with, for example, an AC 24V main power supply via a voltage converter, and the power switch 382a is switched on or off by a switching operation of the power switch 382a.

  Next, the electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10 will be described. FIG. 16 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration of the pachinko machine 10. The main control device 261 of the pachinko machine 10 is equipped with a CPU 501 as a one-chip microcomputer that is an arithmetic device. The CPU 501 includes a ROM 502 that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 501 and fixed value data, and a RAM 503 that is a memory that temporarily stores various data when the control program stored in the ROM 502 is executed. Various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit are incorporated.

  The RAM 503 has a configuration in which data can be retained (backed up) by being supplied with a backup voltage from the power supply device 313 even after the pachinko machine 10 is turned off. The RAM 503 temporarily stores various data and the like. In addition to the memory and area, a backup area 503a is provided.

  In the backup area 503a, when the power is cut off due to a power failure or the like, the power of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power is turned off when the power is turned on again. (Similarly) is an area for storing stack pointers, values of registers, I / O, and the like. Writing to the backup area 503a is performed by an NMI interrupt process activated by inputting a stop signal to the NMI terminal (non-maskable terminal) (the NMI interrupt causes the state of the main controller 261 when the power is turned off to the backup area 503a of the RAM 503). Stored) is executed when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure, etc., and the recovery of each value written in the backup area 503a is a power recovery process when the power is turned on (including power on when the power failure is resolved, and so on). Executed in Note that a power failure signal SK1 output from a power failure monitoring circuit 542, which will be described later, is input to the NMI terminal (non-maskable interrupt terminal) of the CPU 501 when a power failure occurs due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. Due to the occurrence, the power failure process (NMI interrupt process) is immediately executed.

  An input / output port 505 is connected to the CPU 501 incorporating the ROM 502 and RAM 503 via a bus line 504 including an address bus and a data bus.

  A RAM erase switch circuit 543, a payout control device 311, a sub control device 560, a special display device 43, and a normal symbol display device 41, which will be described later, are connected to the input / output port 505. However, the normal symbol display device 41 and the special display device 43 are connected with the input / output port 554 of the sub-control device 560 as a relay means. With this configuration, the special display device 43 and the normal symbol display device 41 described above are directly controlled by the main control device 261. On the other hand, the decorative symbol display device 42 is controlled via the sub-control device 560.

  In addition, although not shown for convenience, various input detection switches such as the above-described prize opening switch 221 are connected to the input / output port 505.

  The sub-control device 560 (sub-control board) includes a CPU 551 that is an arithmetic unit, various control programs executed by the CPU 551, a ROM 552 that stores fixed value data, and various control programs that are stored in the ROM 552. In addition to a RAM 553 that is a memory for temporarily storing data, an input / output port 554, a bus line 555, various circuits such as an interrupt circuit, a timer circuit, and a data transmission / reception circuit (not shown) are also provided. The RAM 553 is a memory that temporarily stores work data and flags used when the CPU 551 executes various programs.

  A CPU 551, ROM 552, and RAM 553 are connected to the input / output port 554 via a bus line 555. Further, the input / output port 554 is connected to the display control device 45, the speaker SP, various illumination units, the lamps 102 to 104, and the like.

  The CPU 551 of the sub-control device 560 causes the display control device 45 to execute display control based on a command signal (for example, a variation pattern command) transmitted from the main control device 261, for example, and causes the decorative symbol display device 42 to display the display control device. Furthermore, the sub-control device 560 controls voice and lamp display. As described above, in the present embodiment, the special display device 43 controlled by the main control device 261 displays whether or not it is a big hit, and the decorative symbol display device 42 controlled by the sub control device 560. Then, display according to the display of the special display device 43 is performed.

  The payout control device 311 controls payout of prize balls and rental balls by a payout motor 358a. The CPU 511 that is an arithmetic unit includes a ROM 512 that stores a control program executed by the CPU 511, fixed value data, and the like, and a RAM 513 that is used as a work memory or the like.

  The RAM 513 of the payout control device 311 is configured to hold (backup) data by supplying a backup voltage from the power supply device 313 even after the pachinko machine 10 is turned off, like the RAM 503 of the main control device 261 described above. The RAM 513 is provided with a backup area 513a in addition to a memory and an area for temporarily storing various data.

  The backup area 513a has a stack pointer, each register at the time of power off, each register, so that the power of the pachinko machine 10 is restored to the state before the power is turned off when the power is turned off. This is an area for storing values such as I / O. The writing to the backup area 513a is executed when the power is turned off by the NMI interrupt processing, and conversely, the restoration of each value written to the backup area 513a is executed in the power recovery processing when the power is turned on.

  An input / output port 515 is connected to the CPU 511 incorporating the ROM 512 and the RAM 513 through a bus line 514 including an address bus and a data bus. A RAM erase switch circuit 543, a main control device 261, a firing control device 312, a payout motor 358a, and the like are connected to the input / output port 515, respectively. In addition, although not shown for convenience, the payout count switch or the like is also connected to the input / output port 515. As a result, the payout control device 311 can grasp whether or not the winning ball has been paid out as scheduled based on the detection information detected by the payout count switch.

  The launch control device 312 permits or prohibits the launch of the game ball by the launch device 70b, and the launch device 70b is permitted to drive when predetermined conditions are met. Specifically, a firing permission signal is output from the payout control device 311, a sensor signal is detected that the player is touching the handle 18, and a firing stop switch that stops firing is operated. On the condition that it is not done, the launching device 70b is driven as described above, and game balls are launched one by one at an intensity corresponding to the operation amount of the handle 18.

  The display control device 45 executes the variable display of the decorative symbols on the decorative symbol display device 42 in accordance with an instruction from the sub-control device 560. The display control device 45 includes a CPU 521, a program ROM 522, a work RAM 523, a video RAM 524, a character ROM 525, a video display processor (VDP) 526, an input port 527, an output port 529, and bus lines 530 and 531. And. An input / output port 554 of the sub control device 560 is connected to the input port 527. Further, the CPU 521, the program ROM 522, the work RAM 523, and the VDP 526 are connected to the input port 527. An output port 529 is connected to the VDP 526 via a bus line 531, and a decorative symbol display device 42 as a liquid crystal display device is connected to the output port 529.

  The CPU 521 of the display control device 45 receives the display command transmitted from the sub-control device 560 via the input port 527 and analyzes the received command or performs predetermined arithmetic processing based on the received command to control the VDP 526 ( Specifically, internal command generation for VDP 526 is performed. Thereby, display control in the decorative symbol display device 42 is performed.

  The program ROM 522 is a memory that stores various control programs executed by the CPU 521 and fixed value data. The work RAM 523 is a memory that temporarily stores work data and flags used when the CPU 521 executes various programs. It is.

  The video RAM 524 is a memory for storing display data to be displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42, and the display content of the decorative symbol display device 42 is changed by rewriting the contents of the video RAM 524. The character ROM 525 is a memory that stores character data such as symbols displayed on the decorative symbol display device 42.

  The VDP 526 is a kind of drawing circuit that directly operates an LCD driver (liquid crystal driving circuit) incorporated in the decorative symbol display device 42. Since the VDP 526 is an IC chip, it is also referred to as a “drawing chip”, and the substance of the VDP 526 can be said to be a microcomputer chip with a dedicated firmware for drawing processing. The VDP 526 adjusts the respective timings of the CPU 521, the video RAM 524, etc. to intervene in reading and writing data, and reads the display data stored in the video RAM 524 at a predetermined timing and causes the decorative symbol display device 42 to display it.

  The power supply device 313 includes a power supply unit 541 that supplies power to each unit of the pachinko machine 10, a power failure monitoring circuit 542 that monitors power interruption due to a power failure, and a RAM erase switch circuit 543 connected to the RAM erase switch 323. And. The power supply unit 541 supplies necessary operation power to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311 and the like through a power supply path (not shown). As its outline, the power supply unit 541 takes in AC 24 volt power supplied from the outside, generates + 12V power for driving various switches and motors, + 5V power for logic, backup power for RAM backup, etc. These + 12V power supply, + 5V power supply and backup power supply are supplied to the main control device 261, the payout control device 311 and the like. Note that operation power (+12 V power, +5 V power, etc.) is supplied to the launch control device 312 via the payout control device 311.

  The power failure monitoring circuit 542 is a circuit that outputs a power failure signal SK1 to each NMI terminal of the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 and the CPU 511 of the payout control device 311 when the power is cut off due to the occurrence of a power failure or the like. The power failure monitoring circuit 542 monitors the DC stable voltage of 24 volts, which is the maximum voltage output from the power supply unit 541, and determines that a power failure (power failure) has occurred when this voltage is less than 22 volts. The power failure signal SK1 is output to the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. Based on the output of the power failure signal SK1, the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 recognize the occurrence of a power failure and execute a power failure process (NMI interrupt processing).

  The power supply unit 541 normally outputs an output of 5 volts, which is a drive voltage of the control system, for a time sufficient to execute the process at the time of a power failure even after the DC stable voltage of 24 volts becomes less than 22 volts. Configured to maintain the value. Therefore, the main control device 261 and the payout control device 311 can normally execute and complete the power failure process.

  The RAM erase switch circuit 543 is a circuit that takes in the switch signal of the RAM erase switch 323 and clears backup data in the RAM 503 of the main controller 261 and the RAM 513 of the payout controller 311 in accordance with the state of the switch 323. When the RAM erase switch 323 is pressed, the RAM erase switch circuit 543 outputs a RAM erase signal SK2 to the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. When the power of the pachinko machine 10 is turned on with the RAM erase switch 323 pressed (including power-on due to power failure cancellation), the data in the respective RAMs 503 and 513 are cleared in the main controller 261 and the payout controller 311. The

  Next, an electrical configuration relating to the above-described entrance detection switch and the main control device 261 will be described with reference to an example of the relationship with the winning opening switch 221 shown in the schematic block diagram of FIG.

  The award opening switch 221 formed of a through-type proximity switch as described above includes an input terminal 221a, an output terminal 221b, and a ground terminal 221c.

  The input terminal 221a of the prize opening switch 221 is connected to the power supply terminal 227 of the main controller 261 via a predetermined electric path 226 constituted by a cable connector, a relay board, and the like. As a result, the +12 V power generated by the power supply device 313 is supplied to the winning opening switch 221 as the operating power.

  The output terminal 221b of the prize opening switch 221 is connected to the inverting circuit 229 of the main controller 261 via a predetermined electric path 228 constituted by a cable connector, a relay board, or the like. The inverting circuit 229 of the main control device 261 is connected to the CPU 501. As a result, the output signal from the winning opening switch 221 is logically inverted by the inverting circuit 229 of the main controller 261 and input to the CPU 501.

  The ground terminal 221c of the winning opening switch 221 is electrically connected (grounded) to the ground level of the main controller 261 via a predetermined electrical path 230 formed by a cable connector, a relay board, or the like. Although not shown, the CPU 501 (earth terminal) is naturally connected to the ground level. Here, the ground level refers to the entire electrical path that is at the reference potential of 0 V in the main controller 261.

  With the above configuration, a high level signal of + 12V is output from the output terminal 221b during normal times when the game ball does not pass through the passage hole 221d (detection range L) of the winning opening switch 221.

  However, as shown in FIG. 18, the prize opening switch 221 in this embodiment is a position that is a predetermined distance away from the upper surface portion 221f to the lower surface portion 221g side in the through direction of the passage hole 221d (vertical direction in FIG. 18). A section from x1 to a position x2 further apart by a predetermined length is set as a detection range L. That is, when the game ball B passes through the passage hole 221d of the winning hole switch 221 and its lower end Ba reaches the detection range L, the game ball B starts to be detected, and its upper end Bb passes the detection range L. At the end, the detection of the game ball B ends. In the present embodiment, the diameter of the regular game ball B is 11 mm, whereas the diameter W1 of the pass hole 221d of the prize opening switch 221 is set to 11.4 mm, for example, and the thickness from the upper surface portion 221f to the lower surface portion 221g. W2 is set to 6.0 mm, the distance W3 from the upper surface part 221f to the position x1 is set to 8.6 mm, and the section of the detection range L is set to 2.7 mm. Of course, the dimensions of the winning opening switch 221 and its detection range L are not limited to this, and can be changed as appropriate.

  On the other hand, when the game ball passes through the passage hole 221d (detection range L), a low level signal having a reference potential of 0 V is output. Therefore, a low level signal is normally input to the CPU 501 of the main controller 261 via the inverting circuit 229, and a high level signal is input when the passage of a game ball is detected.

  For example, when the game ball passes through the passage hole 221d of the winning hole switch 221, as shown in FIG. 19A, the oscillation amplitude, the oscillation frequency, etc. of the high-frequency oscillation circuit during the passage of the game ball (time TS1 to TS2) As shown in FIG. 19B, the input level of the main controller 261 is switched from the low level (L) to the high level (H).

  The reason why the winning opening switch 221 outputs a high level signal during normal time and outputs a low level signal during game ball detection is to prevent erroneous detection by the CPU 501 of the main controller 261.

  In a configuration in which a low level signal is output during normal time and a high level signal is output when a game ball is detected as in the prior art, noise is applied to the electrical path 228 between the winning port switch 221 and the main control device 261. There is a possibility that the CPU 501 may mistakenly recognize that a game ball has passed though it has been input to the main control device 261 as a high level signal, and the game ball has not actually passed through the prize opening switch 221. there were. Causes of noise include static electricity generated by various electronic devices, vibrations caused by the player shaking or hitting the pachinko machine 10, and the like.

  Although not described in detail, the winning port switch 221 is also related to the relationship between the other ball detection switches (count switch 223, first trigger corresponding unit switch 224, second trigger corresponding port switch 225) and the main controller 261. It is the same composition as.

  Subsequently, a switch reading process periodically performed by the CPU 501 of the main control device 261 will be described in detail. In this switch reading process, each ball detection switch (winning port switch 221, count switch 223, first opportunity corresponding unit switch 224, second opportunity corresponding port switch 225) is individually monitored and the same individually. Processing is performed. Accordingly, here, the switch reading process related to the winning opening switch 221 will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 20 as an example, but the same process as the process shown in FIG.

  First, in step S6001, the signal level of the input signal from the winning opening switch 221 is checked. The function of this processing constitutes the signal monitoring means in this embodiment.

  For example, when the game ball is not passing through the passage hole 221d (detection range L) of the winning opening switch 221, a high level signal (H) of + 12V is output from the winning opening switch 221 [timing shown in FIG. On the main controller 261 side, a low level signal (L) having a reference potential of 0 V is input to the CPU 501 via the inverting circuit 229 (see timing t1 in FIG. 21B). FIG. 21A is a timing chart for explaining an output signal from the winning opening switch 221, and FIG. 21B is a timing chart for explaining an input signal to the CPU 501.

  On the other hand, while a game ball enters the general winning port 31 and the game ball passes through the passage hole 221d (detection range L) of the winning port switch 221, a low level signal ( L) is output (see timings t2 and t3 in FIG. 21A), and the high level signal (H) is input to the CPU 501 through the inverting circuit 229 on the main controller 261 side [timing in FIG. 21B]. t2, t3 reference].

  In the subsequent step S6002, the signal level checked in step S6001 is stored in the signal level buffer for the winning opening switch 221 provided in the work area of the RAM 503.

  The signal level buffer is provided corresponding to each incoming detection switch (award opening switch 221, count switch 223, first opportunity corresponding unit switch 224, second opportunity corresponding opening switch 225). The signal level for each detection switch is stored. The signal level buffer corresponds to the level storage means in this embodiment.

  The signal level buffer is configured by a ring buffer. In the ring buffer, the start address and the end address in the buffer area are conceptually connected in a ring shape, and the write address and the read pointer are used to write sequentially from the start address and reach the end address. This buffer is controlled so that it can be written back to the start address again. After data is written at a predetermined address position indicated by the write pointer, the value of the write pointer is updated to a value indicating the next address. Similarly, after data is read from a predetermined address position indicated by the read pointer, the value of the read pointer is updated to a value indicating the next address.

  In addition, the latest 200 msec data, that is, 100 cycles of data is stored in the ring buffer that constitutes each signal level buffer of this embodiment, and the oldest data beyond this is erased in order. Yes. Further, the position of the read pointer indicates a predetermined address position where the latest data is stored. As described later, the data for the past plural times is read based on the position of the read pointer. .

  Returning to the description of step S6002, each time the signal level is checked at a cycle of 2 msec, a logical value corresponding to the signal level is sequentially written in a predetermined address position indicated by the write pointer in the signal level buffer for the winning opening switch 221. To go. Here, when the signal level of the input signal to the CPU 501 is “H (high)”, a logical value “1” is stored as level information indicating this, and the signal level is “L (low)”. Stores a logical value “0” as level information indicating this.

  Thereafter, in step S6003, a calculation process which is a pre-process for determining whether or not a game ball has entered the general winning opening 31 is performed.

  More specifically, logical inversion processing is performed on the earliest data (oldest data) of the latest three data stored in the signal level buffer, and the earliest data that has been logically inverted and the remaining 2 data. Calculate the logical product of all the batch data. Then, this value is temporarily stored in the work area of the RAM 503. The function of this processing constitutes the logic inversion means and the logical product calculation means in this embodiment.

  For example, as shown in FIG. 21B, when the logical values of the signal levels stored at timings t1, t2, and t3 are “0”, “1”, and “1”, the logical inversion of the earliest data When processing is performed, the earliest data is “1”. Therefore, the logical product of this data and the other two data is “1”.

  In the subsequent step S6004, it is determined whether or not the logical product value calculated in step S6003 is “1”. Here, when the logical product value is “1”, it means that the signal level has been switched from “L” to “H”. In step S6005, “1” is set to the value of the ball entry discrimination flag for the winning hole switch 221 (general winning hole 31), and this process is terminated. In addition, the entrance discrimination flag is a discriminator for discriminating whether or not there is an entrance and is provided corresponding to each entrance detection switch. Then, main controller 261 determines whether or not there is a ball in the subsequent processing.

  On the other hand, when the logical product value is “0”, the signal level remains “L” or “H” for the past 4 msec, or the signal level does not switch from “H” to “L”. Therefore, it is determined that there is no entry to the general winning opening 31, and in step S6006, the value of the entering determination flag for the winning opening switch 221 is set to “0”. Exit. The function of the series of processing (entrance determination processing) in steps S6003 to S6006 described above constitutes the entrance determination means in the present embodiment.

  Now, proximity switches such as the prize opening switch 221 have been subject to various illegal acts.

  For example, in the related art, as shown in FIGS. 24A and 24B, as a mounting structure for inserting the proximity switch 900 into the ball passage 901 and fixing it, a position facing the mounting hole 902 into which the proximity switch 900 is inserted. In addition, there is known one in which a concave holding portion 903 for holding the insertion side distal end portion 900a of the proximity switch 900 is formed. However, like the ball collection member 216 of the present application, the ball passage component member 905 is generally integrally formed of a resin material. Therefore, in the conventional configuration, when the ball passage component member 905 is molded, For the convenience of die-cutting the mold H for forming the concave shape (a pair of protruding portions 903a and 903b), and between the upstream edge portion 902a of the mounting hole 902 and the upper surface portion 900b of the proximity switch 900, and mounting Clearances K1 and K2 were formed between the downstream edge portion 902b of the hole 902 and the lower surface portion 900c of the proximity switch 900. For this reason, there is a possibility that a fraudulent act may be performed such that a wire or the like enters the ball passage 901 from the gaps K1 and K2, the wire or the like is inserted into the passage hole 900d of the proximity switch 900, and the proximity switch 900 malfunctions. .

  On the other hand, the mounting hole 406 in the present embodiment has an opening width Y1 along the vertical direction that is substantially the same as the vertical width of the winning opening switch 221, and the opening width Y2 along the left and right direction has a winning opening. The switch 221 is formed to have substantially the same width as the left and right width. Thus, when the winning opening switch 221 is attached to the attachment hole 406, no gap is formed between them. As a result, fraudulent acts as described above can be suppressed.

  As described above, when the ball collecting member 216 is formed so that no gap is formed between the mounting hole 406 and the winning opening switch 221, a concave holding portion that holds the front end portion of the winning opening switch 221 is formed. This makes it impossible to make the winning opening switch 221 in an unstable state.

  On the other hand, in this embodiment, in addition to the support portions 411 and 412 on the back surface side of the bulging portion 405 and the groove portions 413 and 414 on the wall surfaces of the ribs 402 and 403, the upper edge portion of the mounting hole 406 and the bulging portion 405 Extending pieces 407 and 408 extending from the lower edge portion toward the inside of the passage are provided. Thus, in the attached state of the winning opening switch 221, the extended pieces 407, 408 are in surface contact with and support the upper surface portion 221 f and the lower surface portion 221 g of the winning opening switch 221, so that a sufficient holding amount is obtained. Can be secured, and the winning opening switch 221 can be stably held.

  It should be noted that if only the upper surface portion 221f and the lower surface portion 221g of the winning opening switch 221 are in surface contact and a relatively large contact area is ensured, the bulging portion 405 is not provided and the outside of the passage is formed from the mounting hole 406. A configuration is also possible in which the extension piece is formed to extend toward the surface. However, in such a configuration, the extension piece projecting outward from the passage from the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of the attachment hole 406 becomes an obstacle, and the attachment hole 406 is formed. There is a risk that it will be difficult to perform the work of attaching the prize opening switch 221 to the.

  In this respect, in the present embodiment, a bulging portion 405 bulging from the inner side to the outer side of the ball passage 231 is provided, and the upper and lower edges of the mounting hole 406 formed here are respectively provided to the ball passage 231. By extending the inwardly extending pieces 407 and 408, the contact area with the winning port switch 221 is secured relatively large, but does not obstruct the mounting operation of the winning port switch 221. .

  The pachinko machine 10 according to the present embodiment is installed in an inclined manner so that the upper part of the game board 30 is located more rearward in a game hall or the like in order to properly flow down the game ball. That is, the game ball flows down along the back wall 401 of the ball collection member 216 in the ball passage 231. For this reason, in this embodiment, the extended pieces 407 and 408 protruding to the inside of the ball passage 231 function as a restricting means that weakens the downward flow of the game ball. When a restricting portion (see the restricting portion 450 in FIG. 10) is provided in a normal passage section, the protruding amount of the restricting portion cannot be increased so much due to the size of the ball passage 231 and the game ball. By projecting the extending pieces 407 and 408 toward the inside of the passage from the bulging portion 405 bulging outward from the passage as in the embodiment, the protruding amount of the extending pieces 407 and 408 is made relatively large. Therefore, a larger effect can be obtained as a regulating means.

  Further, by providing the bulging portion 405, even if a wire or the like is intruded along the back side of the back wall portion 401 of the ball collection member 216, the bulging portion 405 causes the wire or the like to move outward from the passage. Since the direction can be changed, it becomes more difficult to enter a wire or the like into the ball passage 231.

  In addition, in the present embodiment, of the end edge portions 407a and 408a of the extension pieces 407 and 408, the portion located on the rear side (the bulging portion 405 side) from the center of the passage hole 221d of the prize opening switch 221 is: It is formed in a substantially arc shape along the peripheral shape of the passage hole 221d. As a result, the end edges 407a and 408a of the extended pieces 407 and 408 can be extended to the limit position reaching the peripheral edge of the passage hole 221d, and therefore supported to a position closer to the front end of the winning port switch 221 that is not held. In addition, it is possible to secure a larger contact area with the winning opening switch 221. If the edge portions 407a, 408a of the extended pieces 407, 408 are linear along the left-right direction, the winning hole switch is used to prevent the passage holes 221d from being blocked by the extended pieces 407, 408. It becomes difficult to ensure a relatively large contact area with 221.

  In the present embodiment, the extension pieces 407 and 408 also support the side portion of the winning opening switch 221 and hold the three sides of the spherical passage 231 having a substantially rectangular cross section. It is possible to stabilize the attached state of the winning opening switch 221 inside.

  Furthermore, in the present embodiment, by providing the extended pieces 407 and 408, it is possible to prevent the game ball from directly and vigorously colliding with the periphery of the passage hole 221d of the winning port switch 221, and the winning port switch 221. It is possible to suppress the occurrence of breakage or failure in

  When a proximity switch such as the above-described prize opening switch 221 is used, the magnetic field around the detection coil may change due to the influence of external radio waves. For this reason, conventionally, there has been a risk that a fraudulent act of intentionally causing the proximity switch to malfunction, that is, a so-called “radio wave” is performed using a device that transmits radio waves.

  For example, a fraudulent act with respect to a ball entry detection switch such as a prize port switch 221 that artificially increases the number of balls entered into the general prize port 31 will be described. As shown in FIG. 22A, by inserting a radio wave having a shorter transmission time (time TK1 to TK2) while the game ball is passing (time TS1 to TS2), as shown in FIG. As shown in FIG. 22B, the input level of the main control device 261 is at the low level (L) during the time TK1 to TK2. In other words, the signal level is switched twice while the game ball is passing (time TS1 to TS2), and in reality there are two game balls that have entered the general winning opening 31 and the like. It is possible to make a false detection that there is a minute of entry. In this way, for example, if an illegal act is performed with respect to the first opportunity corresponding port switch 224 of the first opportunity corresponding port 33, the game hits the jackpot even though the game ball does not enter the first opportunity corresponding port 33. Extra lottery opportunities will be obtained.

  In addition, a regular game ball (diameter 11.0 mm) and a game ball having a diameter larger than the passage hole 221d (diameter 11.4 mm) of the prize opening switch 221 (hereinafter referred to as “illegal large sphere”. For example, a diameter 11.8 mm). ) Is also conceivable. In such a case, first, the illegal large ball is put into the ball passage 231 in advance by winning the general winning opening 31 or the like. Then, the illegal large sphere cannot pass through the passage hole 221d of the winning hole switch 221 and is caught in the passage hole 221d. As a result, the winning opening switch 221 is always in a state (on state) in which an illegal large ball is detected. In this state, by appropriately transmitting an improper radio wave [see FIG. 22 (a)] that makes the winning opening switch 221 in the non-detection state (off state), the on / off state is switched and the game ball is not passing. Regardless, it can be erroneously detected that the game ball has passed. However, the target of such fraudulent acts is limited to a ball detection switch arranged on the back side of the pachinko machine 10 that cannot be visually recognized by the player, such as a prize opening switch 221. This is because it is unlikely that an illegal large ball is set in advance for a ball detection switch that is visible to the player from the front side of the pachinko machine 10, such as the first opportunity corresponding port switch 224. .

  In the method of artificially increasing the number of balls entered in the previous stage, the game balls must actually be awarded to the general prize opening 31 and the like, and the timing of passing through the prize opening switch 221 must be matched to insert unauthorized radio waves. It is difficult to do realistically. On the other hand, since the method using the illegal large sphere in the latter stage is relatively easy to execute, a means for effectively preventing such illegal acts is required.

  In this regard, the winning opening switch 221 in the present embodiment has a detection range L in the vertical direction from a position x1 that is a predetermined distance away from the upper surface portion 221f to the lower surface portion 221g side. Is set as. That is, the detection range L in which the game ball can be detected is set at a position where an illegal large sphere that cannot pass through the passage hole 221d does not reach even in a state where the illegal large sphere is fitted to the passage hole 221d from the upstream side. As a result, it is possible to suppress illegal acts using the illegal large sphere as described above.

  However, in the case where the illegal large sphere is formed in a distorted shape such as an elliptical shape, a part of the illegal large sphere can be obtained by simply setting the detection range L of the winning opening switch 221 as described above. It may reach the detection range L of 221 and the effect may be insufficient.

  In this regard, in the present embodiment, the provision of the extended piece 407 on the upstream side of the winning opening switch 221 makes it possible to keep the illegal large ball in the upstream position. It is possible to further enhance the effect of suppressing fraud using the.

  Next, a fraudulent act on a payout count switch or the like that cancels the detection of the passing of the game ball by transmitting radio waves for a time longer than the game ball passing time TS1 to TS2 will be described. As shown in FIG. 23 (a), as shown in FIG. 23 (a), as shown in FIG. 23 (a), as shown in FIG. 23 (a), by sending radio waves for a time longer than the game ball passage time TS1-TS2, The input level 311 is maintained at the low level (L) without switching to the high level (H). That is, the prize ball is actually paid out, and the passing of the prize ball is not detected even though the prize ball passes through the payout count switch. As a result, the payout control device 311 executes the payout process again, and the fraudulent person can acquire an excessive number of prize balls in excess of a preset number.

  However, such a method is actually inefficient because it is necessary to actually win the game ball to the general winning opening 31 and the like, and the payout control device 311 is processed as a payout error after a predetermined time has elapsed. Not right. On the other hand, if a gap similar to the gaps K1 and K2 (see FIG. 24) is formed between the payout count switch and its mounting hole, a wire or the like enters the ball path from the gap. In the payout device 358, an unauthorized radio wave that cancels the detection of the passing of the gaming ball as described above is transmitted while the gaming ball is caused to flow down by illegally operating a regulating member such as a sprocket that regulates the flow of the gaming ball. This makes it possible to illegally acquire a large number of game balls.

  Such a fraudulent act can be sufficiently dealt with by adopting the mounting structure of the winning opening switch 221 in the present embodiment as the mounting structure of the payout count switch.

  In addition, it is not limited to the description content of embodiment mentioned above, For example, you may implement as follows.

  (A) In the above embodiment, when performing the ball entering determination process, the logic inversion process of the earliest data among the latest three data stored in the signal level buffer is performed and the logic inversion is performed. The logical product of all the data and the remaining two data is calculated, and the determination process is performed based on the calculation result. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the same processing may be performed based on at least two times of data stored in the signal level buffer. Alternatively, the logical inversion processing of the earliest data may be omitted, and a logical product of data for a plurality of times may be simply calculated.

  (B) In a configuration in which other ball start detection switches such as the count switch 223 and the first opportunity corresponding port switch 224 are mounted on the ball collection member 216, the ball port detection switch 221 in the above embodiment is also mounted on the ball detection switch. A mounting structure similar to the structure may be adopted.

  (C) The ball path constituent member to which the ball detection switch is attached is not limited to the ball collecting member 216, but may be a variable prize device or a payout device, for example, as long as the ball path through which a game ball passes is formed. Other members may be used.

  (D) The configuration, such as the shape and size of the bulging portion 405, is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, the bulging part 405 may be configured to bulge to substantially the same position as the rear end part of the winning prize opening switch 221.

  Further, on the back side of the bulging portion 405, for example, a curved chamfered portion may be formed on the peripheral portion of the mounting hole 406. Thereby, it becomes easy to perform the work of attaching the winning opening switch 221.

  (E) The configuration of the extending pieces 407 and 408, such as the shape and size thereof, is not limited to the above embodiment.

  For example, a configuration in which the front side (game board 30 side) portion from the center of the passage hole 221d of the winning port switch 221 may be omitted. In the case where the effect of suppressing the illegal act using the illegal large sphere as described above or the effect as the restricting means is enhanced, the extended pieces 407, 408, etc. around the passage hole 221d of the winning opening switch 221 Although it is preferable to form the covering portion, such a configuration may cause the ball passage to become narrow and the game ball may not flow smoothly. In this regard, if the extension pieces 407 and 408 are provided at least at a position located on the rear side (the bulging portion 405 side) from the center of the passage hole 221d of the winning hole switch 221, the occurrence of such a problem is suppressed. However, it is possible to more effectively exhibit the effect of suppressing the illegal act using the illegal large sphere and the effect as the regulating means. Of course, from the viewpoint of avoiding the collision of the game ball with the winning port switch 221, it is preferable that an extending piece (protective piece) is formed around the entire passage hole 221 d of the winning port switch 221.

  Moreover, in the said embodiment, about the part located in the rear side (the bulging part 405 side) from the center of the passage hole 221d of the winning opening switch 221 among edge part 407a, 408a of the extended piece 407,408, It is formed in a substantially arc shape along the peripheral shape of the passage hole 221d. Not limited to this, from the viewpoint of avoiding the collision of the game ball with the winning opening switch 221, the passage hole of the portion located on the front side (the game board 30 side) from the center of the passing hole 221 d of the winning opening switch 221 is also used. It is preferably formed in a substantially arc shape along the peripheral shape of 221d.

  In the above-described embodiment, the extending pieces 407 and 408 are provided in substantially the entire upper edge portion and lower edge portion of the attachment hole 406 along the left-right direction so as to connect the ribs 402 and 403. Not only this but the structure where the extension piece (protection piece) was each formed separately, for example in the corner part which rib 402 and the bulging part 405 contact, and the corner part which rib 403 and the bulging part 405 contact | connect It is good.

  (F) Depending on the configuration of the bulging portion 405 and the extending pieces 407 and 408, the supporting portions 411 and 412, the groove portions 413 and 414, the regulating piece 415, and the like may be omitted.

  (G) In the above embodiment, the detection range L of the winning opening switch 221 is set at a position further away from the lower surface portion 221g, but the detection range L is limited to the range of the above embodiment. It is not something. For example, the upper limit position of the detection range L may be the position of the lower surface portion 221g. Further, as in the prior art, the detection range L may be set to a section in the passage hole 221d. However, from the viewpoint of suppressing the illegal act using the illegal large sphere as described above, at least the detection range L is the radius of the passage hole 221d from the upper surface portion 221f of the prize opening switch 221 (the maximum diameter that can pass through the passage hole 221d). It is preferable that the spheres are separated by at least the radius of the sphere. That is, it is preferable that the detection range L is set at a position where an illegal large sphere that cannot pass through the passage hole 221d does not reach even in a state of being fitted to the passage hole 221d from the upstream side.

  (H) In the above-described embodiment, the winning opening switch 221 is attached to the ball collection member 216 in a state where its longitudinal direction is along the front-rear direction. Not limited to this, the winning opening switch 221 may be attached to the ball collection member 216 in a state where the longitudinal direction of the winning prize switch is along the left-right direction. In such a case, for example, the support portion 411 or the like is omitted, and a slit communicating with the mounting hole 406 is formed in the bulging portion 405, the rib 402, or the like, and the longitudinal direction of the winning opening switch 221 is set along the left-right direction. In such a state, it is possible to adopt an attachment structure or the like in which the winning opening switch 221 is inserted into the ball passage 231 from the back side of the ball passage 231 toward the front.

  (I) In the above embodiment, the winning opening switch 221 is attached in the passage section extending along the vertical direction. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and for example, the winning opening switch 221 is formed in a section in which the passage is inclined obliquely. It is good also as a structure which attaches.

  (J) In the above embodiment, a proximity switch that detects the passage of the game ball by detecting a change in magnetic flux accompanying the passage of the game ball is employed as the ball detection means. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and other configurations such as a switch for detecting passage of a game ball by an optical sensor may be adopted.

  (K) You may implement as a different type of pachinko machine from the above-mentioned embodiment. In addition to pachinko machines, various game machines such as an arrangement ball machine and a sparrow ball similar thereto may be used.

  (L) In the above embodiment, from the viewpoint of suppressing the complexity of the manufacturing process and the increase in production cost, the ball collection member 216 is integrally formed of a resin material. From the viewpoint of avoiding the collision of the game ball with the winning opening switch 221, the ball collecting member 216 is formed by combining a plurality of members in order to form an extending piece (protective piece) around the entire passage hole 221 d of the winning opening switch 221. It is good also as a structure formed using the metal mold | die apparatus which performs complicated operation | movement which die-cuts a metal mold | die in many directions, such as front and back, right and left.

  (M) From the viewpoint of avoiding the collision of the game ball with the winning port switch 221, the bulging portion 405 may be omitted as long as the extension piece 407 and the like are formed.

  (N) The extension piece 407 or the like may be configured not to contact the prize opening switch 221 as long as the extension piece 407 or the like is formed from the viewpoint of avoiding the collision of the game ball with the prize opening switch 221.

  Hereinafter, the technical idea that is not described in the claims and that can be grasped from the above embodiment will be described together with the effects thereof.

Means 1. A ball passage component having a ball passage through which a game ball can flow down;
A ball detecting means having a passage hole through which a game ball can pass and capable of detecting a game ball passing through the passage hole;
In the gaming machine in which the ball detecting means is attached to the ball path component so that the passage hole faces the ball path,
The ball passage component is
The ball detection means extends from the inner wall surface of the ball passage along the upper surface of the ball detection means toward the inside of the ball passage, and at least a part of the edge of the ball detection means extends along the peripheral shape of the passage hole of the ball detection means. The gaming machine according to means 1, further comprising an extended piece (protective piece) formed.

  According to the means 1, by providing the extending piece, it is possible to prevent the game ball from directly and vigorously colliding with the periphery of the passage hole of the ball detecting means, and the ball detecting means is damaged or broken. The risk of doing so can be reduced.

  Mean 2. 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the extended piece is in contact with at least the upper surface of the ball detecting means in the attached state of the ball detecting means.

  According to the means 2, no gap is generated between the extended piece and the upper surface portion of the sphere detecting means, and the operational effect of the means 1 can be made more reliable.

Means 3. A game ball is configured to flow down along a predetermined wall portion (for example, a back wall portion) of the ball passage,
The gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the extending piece is formed at least in a range closer to the predetermined wall portion than the center position of the passage hole of the ball detecting means.

  In order to enhance the effect as the restricting means for suppressing the collision of the game balls as described above, it is preferable to form the extending piece around the entire passage hole of the ball detecting means. There is a possibility that the passage becomes narrow and the game ball does not flow smoothly. In this respect, according to the means 3, the effect as the regulating means can be more effectively exhibited while suppressing the occurrence of such a problem.

Means 4. In a part of the predetermined wall portion, provided with a bulging portion bulging from the inside of the ball passage toward the outside,
The gaming machine according to claim 3, wherein the extended piece is provided in the bulging portion.

  When an extension piece is provided in a normal passage section, the protruding amount of the extension piece cannot be increased so much due to the size of the passage and the game ball. Since the protruding amount of the extending piece can be made relatively large by projecting the extending piece from the protruded bulging portion toward the inside of the passage, a larger effect can be obtained as a restricting means. .

Means 5. In the bulging portion, the opening width of the game ball along the flow-down direction is formed to be substantially the same as the vertical width of the ball detection means along the penetration direction of the passage hole, and the ball detection means is connected to the ball passage. It has a mounting hole that can be inserted into the inside,
The extending pieces extend from the upstream edge and the downstream edge of the mounting hole toward the inside of the spherical passage,
The gaming machine according to claim 4, wherein in the attached state of the ball detecting means, the two extending pieces are in contact with the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion of the ball detecting means.

As a mounting structure for inserting and fixing the sphere detection means into the sphere passage, a concave holding portion for holding the insertion side tip of the sphere detection means is formed at a position facing the mounting hole for inserting the sphere detection means. Things have been known for some time. However, in general, since the ball passage component is integrally formed of a resin material or the like, in the conventional configuration, when the ball passage component is molded, a pair of protruding portions of the concave holding portion is formed. For convenience of die removal, gaps are formed between the upstream edge of the mounting hole and the top surface of the ball detecting means, and between the downstream edge of the mounting hole and the bottom surface of the ball detecting means. It had been. For this reason, there is a possibility that a fraudulent act may be performed such that a wire or the like enters the ball passage from the gap, the wire or the like is inserted into the passage hole of the ball detection unit, and the ball detection unit malfunctions. Of course, it is not impossible to form the concave holding portion without generating the gap by using a mold apparatus that performs a complicated operation such as punching the mold in multiple directions such as front, rear, left and right. In such a case, problems such as complication of the manufacturing process and an increase in production cost are caused. In this respect, the means 5 has an opening width of the mounting hole along the flow direction of the game ball (passage direction). By forming substantially the same width as the vertical width of the sphere detection means, between the upstream edge of the mounting hole and the upper surface of the sphere detection means, and the downstream edge of the mounting hole and the lower surface of the sphere detection means No gap is formed between the two. Thereby, fraudulent acts as described above can be suppressed.

  As described above, the sphere is formed so that no gap is formed between the upstream edge of the mounting hole and the upper surface of the sphere detecting means, and between the downstream edge of the mounting hole and the lower surface of the sphere detecting means. In the case of forming the passage component member, it is impossible to form a concave holding portion that holds the insertion-side tip of the sphere detection means, so that the mounting state of the sphere detection means may be unstable.

  On the other hand, it is conceivable to stabilize the mounting state by forming a groove portion into which the side portion of the sphere detection means is fitted along the insertion direction of the sphere detection means on the inner wall surface of the sphere passage. However, the distance between the side portion of the sphere detecting means and the peripheral portion of the passage hole is relatively short, and it is difficult to secure a sufficient holding amount by itself.

  In this respect, in the present means 5, the extending pieces formed to extend from the upstream edge and the downstream edge of the mounting hole toward the inside of the spherical passage respectively face the upper surface portion and the lower surface portion of the ball detecting means. Since it abuts and supports it, the ball detecting means can be stably held.

  If the surface is simply abutted against the upper surface and the lower surface of the sphere detecting means and a relatively large contact area is ensured, the bulging portion is not provided, and the holding is performed from the mounting hole toward the outside of the passage. Although a configuration in which the extending piece for extension is formed is also conceivable, in such a configuration, the extending piece for holding protruding outward from the passage from the upstream edge portion and the downstream edge portion of the mounting hole becomes an obstacle, There is a possibility that it is difficult to perform the work of attaching the ball detecting means to the mounting hole.

  In this respect, the present means 5 is provided with a bulging portion that bulges from the inner side to the outer side of the ball passage, and from the upstream edge portion and the downstream edge portion of the mounting hole formed here to the inside of the ball passage. By using the extension piece for restriction formed so as to extend toward the surface, a relatively large contact area with the ball detection means can be secured, but the work for mounting the ball detection means is not obstructed.

  At this time, when the edge of the extended piece is linear, it is possible to ensure a relatively large contact area with the ball detecting means in order not to block the passage hole with the extended piece. It becomes difficult. In addition, in a configuration that does not have a groove portion into which the side portion of the sphere detection means is fitted, the sphere detection means is held only on one side (bulge portion side) of the spherical passage having a substantially rectangular cross section. There is a possibility that the mounting state of the ball detecting means in the ball passage becomes unstable.

  In this regard, as described above, at least a part of the end edge portion of the extension piece is formed along the peripheral shape of the passage hole of the sphere detecting means, so that the end edge portion of the extension piece is made to pass through the passage hole. Since it can extend to the limit position reaching the peripheral edge, it can be supported to a position closer to the insertion side tip of the sphere detection means that is not held, and a larger contact area with the sphere detection means is ensured. be able to. In addition, since it supports at least a part of the side portion of the sphere detection means and holds the three sides of the spherical passage having a substantially rectangular cross section (the corner portion of at least one side and two sides in contact with the side), The mounting state of the sphere detection means in the sphere passage can be stabilized.

Means 6. A launching means for launching a game ball;
A game board having a game area on the front side where a launched game ball is guided;
In a gaming machine comprising a pitching means arranged in the gaming area,
The flow path component is a member attached to the back side of the game board,
The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 5, wherein the ball detecting means is a ball entering detecting means for detecting a game ball that has entered the ball entering means.

  In order to allow the game ball to flow down properly, the gaming machine configured as the above means 6 is installed at an inclination so that the upper part of the game board is located further rearward in a game hall or the like. For this reason, it can be made to function as a control means as mentioned above by providing at least the above-mentioned extension piece on the back side of a channel constituent member (ball passage).

  Mean 7 The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 6, wherein the ball detection means is a proximity switch that detects the passage of the game ball by detecting a change in magnetic flux accompanying the passage of the game ball.

  When a proximity switch such as this means is used as a sphere detection means, the magnetic field around the detection coil may change due to the influence of external radio waves. For this reason, conventionally, there has been a risk that a fraudulent act of intentionally causing the proximity switch to malfunction, that is, a so-called “radio wave” is performed using a device that transmits radio waves.

  As one of such radio wave methods, for example, a method using a game ball having a diameter larger than that of a regular game ball (hereinafter referred to as “illegal large ball”) can be considered. In such a case, an illegal large sphere is first placed in the ball passage in advance. Then, the illegal large sphere cannot pass through the passage hole of the sphere detection means and is caught by the passage hole. Thereby, the sphere detection means is always in a state (on state) in which an illegal large sphere is detected. In this state, by appropriately transmitting an improper radio wave that makes the ball detection means non-detection state (off state), the on / off state is switched, and the game ball has passed even though the game ball has not passed. False detection can be made.

  In this respect, the provision of the extending piece upstream of the sphere detection means makes it possible to keep the illegal large sphere at a position that does not reach the detection range of the sphere detection means. Can be suppressed.

  Means 8. The ball detecting means can detect a game ball passing through the passage hole, and a detection range of a game ball (a ball having a diameter larger than the diameter of the passage hole) that cannot pass through the passage hole is the passage hole. The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 7, wherein the gaming machine is set at a position that does not reach even when fitted from the upstream side.

  For example, an example in which the detection range is more than the radius of the passage hole (the radius of the largest diameter sphere that can pass through the passage hole) from the upper surface portion of the sphere detection unit with respect to the penetration direction of the passage hole. .

  According to the means 8, it is possible to further enhance the effect of suppressing illegal acts using the illegal large sphere as described above. For example, when the illegal large sphere is formed in a distorted shape such as an elliptical shape, a part of the illegal large sphere is detected by the sphere detecting means only by providing the above-mentioned extending piece upstream of the sphere detecting means. It may reach the range, and the effect may be insufficient.

  Means 9. The gaming machine according to any one of means 1 to 8, wherein the gaming machine is a ball and ball gaming machine (for example, a pachinko machine or a gaming machine equivalent to a pachinko machine).

  For example, a bullet ball gaming machine is provided with game value giving means for giving a predetermined game value based on the entry of a game ball into a predetermined ball entry means. Here, to give a game value, for example, paying out a prize ball, performing a lottery as to whether or not to generate a special game state advantageous to a player, and displaying identification information in a variable manner. included.

  DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10 ... Pachinko machine, 30 ... Game board, 31 ... General winning port, 216 ... Ball collection member, 221 ... Winning port switch, 221d ... Pass-through hole, 221f ... Upper surface part, 221g ... Lower surface part, 231 ... Ball passage, 401 ... Back wall portion, 402, 403 ... rib, 405 ... bulging portion, 406 ... mounting hole, 407, 408 ... extension piece, 407a, 408a ... end edge portion, 411, 412 ... support portion, 413, 414 ... groove portion, 415 ... regulating piece, 417 ... arm portion, 418 ... locking claw, L ... detection range.

Claims (2)

A ball passage component having a ball passage through which a game ball can flow down;
A ball detecting means having a passage hole through which a game ball can pass and capable of detecting a game ball passing through the passage hole;
In the gaming machine in which the ball detecting means is attached to the ball path component so that the passage hole faces the ball path,
The ball passage component is
The ball detection means extends from the inner wall surface of the ball passage along the upper surface of the ball detection means toward the inside of the ball passage, and at least a part of the edge of the ball detection means extends along the peripheral shape of the passage hole of the ball detection means. With formed protective pieces ,
The game machine according to claim 1, wherein the ball detecting means does not detect the game ball unless the game ball passes through the passage hole . In a part of the ball passage, a bulging portion bulging from the inside to the outside of the ball passage,
The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the protection piece is provided in the bulging portion.

Images