JP6735601B2 - Amusement machine - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a gaming machine having buttons and the like that can be operated in production.

In this type of gaming machine, a production button that can be operated in production is usually provided on the front side of the frame. The player can switch the contents of the effect or generate some effect by performing an operation such as pressing an effect button in accordance with a guide or instruction displayed on the liquid crystal display. If it is a push-in type production button, mechanical parts, detection parts, etc. are designed assuming the axis of displacement in the direction of push-in operation, but in the actual production button, the central part of the operation surface is in the axial direction. It is not always pushed uniformly along the surface, and in some cases, it is not uncommon to push in a position deviated from the central portion of the operation surface or a peripheral portion. Therefore, if the way of pushing is extremely irregular, even if the player intends to operate it, the displacement direction of the effect button will be largely deviated from the axis line, and it is possible that the effect button is pushed in. The problem that it cannot be normally detected may occur.

For such a problem, there is known a prior art in which a detection method is improved (for example, refer to Patent Document 1). This prior art has a plurality of sets of detection means and detected parts whose distances change according to the pressing operation of the effect button, and at least one set of these detection means and detected parts detect The means detects or does not detect the detected portion, thereby detecting the pressing operation of the effect button.

According to the above-mentioned prior art, even if some of the plurality of sets have detection means that cannot detect or cannot detect the detected part, the detection means of other sets are paired with this. If the detected part can be detected or detected, as a result, the pressing operation of the effect button can be detected. For this reason, even if the effect button is pushed in an extremely tilted state, the detection accuracy thereof can be improved to some extent.

JP, 2005-208402, A

However, the above-mentioned prior art is too focused on improving the detection accuracy with respect to the irregular depression of the effect button, and thus lacks the viewpoint of solving the inherent problem.

That is, as shown in the prior art, even if the production button is pushed in an extremely tilted state, the normal pressing operation can be detected. It means that, depending on the degree of the allowance, an unexpected trouble will occur. For example, the pressing operation in a state of a large inclination as permitted by the prior art causes members constituting the effect button to come into contact with each other or causes excessive friction between them, so the internal structure of the effect button is It is easy to apply a load larger than expected (initial design). In particular, a photo sensor or the like is often used to detect a button operation, but since a sensor that is an electronic component is extremely delicate, failure due to interference with other members is likely to occur. The failure of the sensor not only impairs the function of the effect button, but also may lead to deterioration of durability and reliability of the gaming machine itself.

Then, this invention makes it a subject to provide the technique which can improve durability and reliability.

The present invention adopts the following means for solving the above problems. The words in the following parentheses are merely examples, and the present invention is not limited to these.

Solution means 1: A game machine according to this solution means a case body that can be installed in a game machine body, and an operation member that is housed in the case body and that is displaced relative to the case body according to an operation from the outside. A photosensor provided on the case body without being affected by the displacement of the operation member, a position on the optical axis of the photosensor along with the displacement of the operation member, and a position off the optical axis. A light-shielding member that is displaced between the movable member, a movable member that is displaced integrally with the light-shielding member in relation to the displacement of the operation member, and a guide member that guides the displacement of the movable member. And a guide mechanism that secures a clearance between the photo sensor and the light shielding member while guiding the displacement of the movable member by the guide member.

According to the solving means, the game proceeds in the following manner, for example.
(1) The launched game ball flows down in the game area, and in the process is guided by obstacle nails, windmills, structures, etc., and passes through some area or enters a ball entrance (prize entrance, etc.). Or
(2) When a game ball enters a specific entrance or passes through a specific area, a lottery trigger occurs and an internal lottery is executed, and after the symbol is variably displayed for a predetermined time, the symbol is displayed. It is stopped and displayed in a manner according to the lottery result.
(3) If the internal lottery is won, the special game is executed after the stop display in (2) above, and various effects according to the game play (for example, whether the game state after the special game becomes advantageous or not) Challenge bonus effect, etc., which determines) is displayed on the liquid crystal display.

(4) At this time, on the liquid crystal display, a word (for example, “press a button!”) for instructing the player to perform a predetermined operation is displayed together with the effect screen, and the operation of the operation member is prompted. The case body in which the operation member is housed can be installed in the main body of the gaming machine (frame or housing), and when the player operates the operation member according to this instruction, the operation member (for example, button) is moved relative to the case body. Will be displaced. Further, along with this, the movable member and the light shielding member are integrally displaced relative to the case body. At this time, the light blocking member is displaced between a position on the optical axis of light (for example, infrared rays) emitted from the photosensor and a position off the optical axis. Note that the gaming machine main body in which the case body can be installed includes a frame of a pachinko machine and a housing of a pachi-slot machine (rotating drum type gaming machine).

A photo sensor generally has a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion that form a pair, and detects a change in state depending on whether or not the light receiving portion can receive the light emitted by the light emitting portion. By displacing the light shielding member between the two positions shown in (4) above, the photosensor can detect the displacement of the operation member (operation on the operation member). That is, the light emitted by the light emitting unit is blocked by the light blocking member when the light blocking member is on the optical axis and cannot be received by the light receiving unit, but the light blocking member is at a position off the optical axis. In this case, since it is not blocked by the light blocking member, the light receiving section can receive light. In this way, the photosensor can detect the displacement of the light-shielding member and hence the operating member itself (operation on the operating member) based on the change in the light receiving state.

(5) The displacement of the movable member in (4) above is guided by the guide mechanism. The guide mechanism guides the displacement of the movable member and secures a clearance between the photo sensor and the light shielding member.

By providing such a mechanism, even if the light shielding member is displaced due to the displacement of the operation member, there is no concern that the light shielding member will contact or collide with the photo sensor. Therefore, since no interference occurs between the photo sensor and the light shielding member, malfunction or failure of the photo sensor caused by the interference between the members can be prevented in advance, and the durability of the photo sensor and the gaming machine can be prevented. It is possible to improve reliability and reliability.

Solution means 2: In the game machine of this solution means, in the solution means 1, the case body accommodates the operation member together with the movable member of the guide mechanism, and the case body has the The movable member is guided so as to be displaceable along the displacement direction of the operation member, and the operation member and the movable member are arranged inside the case body in accordance with whether or not the operation member is operated and the position at the time of operation. A support mechanism for displaceably supporting the operation position is further provided.

According to this solving means, the following features are added.
(6) The operation member of (4), the movable member, the guide mechanism and the support mechanism of (5) are attached to the gaming machine main body while being housed inside the case body.

By accommodating the operating members and the like inside the case body, the operating members and the like can be installed in the gaming machine body as a united assembly (unit), so that the mounting operation to the gaming machine body is facilitated. It becomes possible.

(7) The operation member and the movable member housed inside the case body in the above (6) are supported by the support mechanism in a displaceable state. The guide in the displacement direction of the movable member inside the case body is also performed by the support mechanism. That is, the displacement of the movable member is guided by the support mechanism and the guide mechanism of the above (5).

By providing the support mechanism, the operation member and the movable member housed inside the case body are supported at two specific positions, that is, a position when the operation member is operated and a position when the operation member is not operated, It can be displaced to the other position according to an operation on the operation member. Further, since the displacement of the movable member is guided by the plurality of mechanisms (members), it is possible to guide the movable member more reliably in the intended direction and displace it in a stable state.

Solution means 3: In the game machine of the solution means, in the solution means 2, the guide mechanism extends in the displacement direction of the operation member inside the case body, and at least a part around an axis line along the displacement direction. It has a rib as the guide member formed in a surrounding shape, and is integrally connected to the operating member in a state where the movable member is accommodated inside the case body, and the movable member is displaced according to the displacement of the operating member. It is displaceable by being guided by the outer surface of the rib.

According to this solving means, the following features are added.
(8) The guide mechanism of the above (5) has a rib as a guide member. The rib is formed in a shape that surrounds at least a part (not necessarily the entire circumference) around the axis line along the displacement direction of the operation member, that is, the central portion as viewed in the displacement direction. The movable member integrally connected to the operating member is displaced by being guided by the rib while being accommodated inside the case body of (6) as the operating member is displaced.

The rib is formed in a shape that surrounds at least a part around an axis line along the displacement direction, and is provided in the central portion as viewed in the displacement direction. By providing the rib as the guide member at such a position, the movable member can be displaced in a more stable state.

Solution means 4: In the game machine of the solution means, in the solution means 3, the rib has a pair of portions having a U-shape whose cross section viewed in the displacement direction is symmetric with respect to the axis, and the open portions are respectively formed. The photo sensor is formed in a shape facing each other, and the photo sensor is arranged at a position surrounded by the rib inside the case body, and the light shielding member is a pair of portions of the rib inside the case body. It is formed at a position that extends through the space and crosses the optical axis of the photo sensor at a position when the operation member is not operated.

According to this solving means, the following features are added.
(9) The cross section of each of the pair of portions forming the rib of (8) is U-shaped. The photo sensor of (4) above is surrounded by the rib having such a shape, and the light shielding member is at a position when the operating member is not operated, that is, when the operating member is not operated and is not displaced. Crosses the optical axis of the photo sensor.

By forming the rib in such a shape, it is possible to secure high rigidity against a force received from the width direction (horizontal direction) and buckling strength against a compressive force in the displacement direction, and improve the durability of the rib. Then, by surrounding the photo sensor with the rib having such a shape, the photo sensor can be reliably protected from collision and interference by other members. Further, when the light-shielding member traverses the optical axis of the photo sensor at the position when the operation member is not operated, the photo sensor detects that the operation member has been operated when the light receiving unit can receive the light from the light emitting unit. On the other hand, when the light receiving unit cannot receive the light from the light emitting unit, it can be detected that the operation member is not operated.

Solution means 5: In the game machine of this solution means, in the solution means 3 and 4, the ribs are the outer surface of itself on the extension line of the optical axis of the photosensor and the inner surface of the movable member facing the outer surface. The interval is formed smaller than the clearance between the photo sensor and the light shielding member.

According to this solving means, the following features are added.
(10) As described in (5) above, a clearance is secured between the photosensor and the light shielding member by the guide mechanism (hereinafter, the distance is referred to as A). Further, a space is provided between the rib as the guide member in the above (8) and the movable member facing the outer side surface (hereinafter, the distance is B). At this time, the interval B is formed smaller than the clearance A.

Depending on the situation, the operating member may be displaced not only in the height direction (vertical direction) but also in the width direction (horizontal direction). Since the size of the interval provided between the rib and the movable member facing the outer side surface is B, the maximum displaceable amount of the movable member in the width direction is B. If the movable member is displaced toward the rib by the size B, the movable member is blocked by the rib and cannot be further displaced in the same direction. When the movable member is displaced by the maximum displacement amount B, the light-shielding member that is integrally displaced with the movable member is also displaced by the size B in the same direction, but the distance B between the light-shielding member and the photo sensor is larger than the distance B. Since the large clearance A is provided, the light blocking member does not come into contact with the photo sensor.

Therefore, since the ribs are formed in this manner, the clearance between the photo sensor and the light shielding member is secured while appropriately guiding the displacement of the movable member as a guide member that forms a part of the guide mechanism, and the photo sensor Can be more reliably protected from interference by the light shielding member. This makes it possible to prevent malfunctions and failures of the photosensor and further improve its durability and reliability.

According to the present invention, durability and reliability can be improved.

It is a front view of a pachinko machine. It is a rear view of a pachinko machine. It is a front view showing a game board unit alone. It is a front view which expands and shows a part of pachinko machine (enlarged view in the frame enclosed by the dashed-dotted line IV in FIG. 1). It is a front view which expands and shows a part of game board unit. It is a block diagram which shows various electronic devices with which a pachinko machine was equipped. It is a perspective view in the initial state of a button unit. It is a perspective view in a pressed state of a button unit. It is an exploded perspective view of a button unit. It is a figure explaining the structure of a photosensor. FIG. 8 is a vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 7) of the button unit in the initial state. FIG. 12 is a transverse cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the section line XII-XII in FIG. 11) of the button unit in the initial state. FIG. 9 is a vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along a cutting line XIII-XIII in FIG. 8) in a pressed state of the button unit. FIG. 14 is a transverse cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the XIV-XIV cutting line in FIG. 13) in a pressed state of the button unit. It is a perspective view which shows a button case independently. It is a top view which shows a button case independently. FIG. 12 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the photosensor in an enlarged manner (an enlarged view in a frame surrounded by a chain line XVII in FIG. 11). FIG. 12 is a transverse cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line XII-XII in FIG. 11) in the initial state of the button unit, which illustrates the water immersion prevention structure of the decorative substrate.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a front view of a pachinko gaming machine (hereinafter abbreviated as “pachinko machine”) 1. FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko machine 1. The pachinko machine 1 uses a game ball as a game medium, and the player borrows the game ball from the game hall operator to perform a game with the pachinko machine 1. In the game on the pachinko machine 1, each game ball is a medium in which each one has a game value, and the privilege (profit) that the player enjoys as a result of the game is, for example, the game ball acquired by the player. It can be converted into a game value based on the number of. Hereinafter, the overall configuration of the pachinko machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

〔overall structure〕
The pachinko machine 1 mainly includes an outer frame unit 2, an integrated door unit 4, and an inner frame assembly 7 (plastic frame, game machine frame) as its main body. When viewed from the front facing the player, the integrated door unit 4 is located on the frontmost side. The inner frame assembly 7 is located on the back side (back side) of the integrated door unit 4, and the outer frame unit 2 is arranged so as to surround the outer side of the inner frame assembly 7.

The outer frame unit 2 is a structure in which wood and metal materials are combined in a vertically long rectangular shape, and the outer frame unit 2 has fasteners such as screws for island equipment (not shown) in the game arcade. It is fixed by using. In the vertically long rectangular outer frame unit 2, wood is used for the parts corresponding to the upper and lower short sides, and a metal material is used for the parts corresponding to the left and right long sides.

The integrated door unit 4 has a structure in which the tray unit 6 is integrated at the lower position. The integrated door unit 4 and the inner frame assembly 7 are attached to the island facility via the outer frame unit 2, and each of these operates in an openable and closable manner via a hinge mechanism (not shown). The opening/closing axis of the hinge mechanism (not shown) extends vertically along the left end of the pachinko machine 1 when viewed from the front.

A unified lock unit 9 is provided inside the right edge portion (left edge portion in FIG. 2) of the inner frame assembly 7 when viewed from the front in FIG. Correspondingly, locking tools (not shown) are also provided on the right edge portions (back side) of the integrated door unit 4 and the outer frame unit 2, respectively. As shown in FIG. 1, in the state where the integrated door unit 4 and the inner frame assembly 7 are closed with respect to the outer frame unit 2, the unified lock unit 9 on the back side of the integrated door unit 4 and the inner frame assembly 7 together with the locking tool. The opening of 7 is disabled.

A cylinder lock 6a with a key hole is provided on the right side edge of the tray unit 6. For example, when the manager of the game arcade inserts a dedicated key into the key hole and twists the cylinder lock 6a in the clockwise direction, the unified lock unit 9 is operated and the inner frame assembly 7 and the integrated door unit 4 can be opened. .. When all of these are opened from the outer frame unit 2 to the front side (moved like a door), the back side of the pachinko machine 1 is exposed on the front side.

On the other hand, when the cylinder lock 6a is twisted counterclockwise, only the locking of the integrated door unit 4 is released while the inner frame assembly 7 remains locked, and the integrated door unit 4 can be opened. When the integrated door unit 4 is opened to the front side, the game board unit 8 is directly exposed, and in this state, the manager of the game hall can remove obstacles such as ball clogging in the board surface. When the integrated door unit 4 is opened, the tray unit 6 is also opened to the front side.

In addition, the pachinko machine 1 includes the above-mentioned game board unit 8 as a game unit. The game board unit 8 is supported by the inner frame assembly 7 behind (inside) the integrated door unit 4. The game board unit 8 can be attached to and detached from the inner frame assembly 7 in a state where the integrated door unit 4 is opened to the front side, for example. The integrated door unit 4 has a vertically elongated circular window 4a formed in the center thereof, and a glass unit (no reference numeral) is attached to the window 4a. The glass unit is, for example, a combination of two transparent plates (glass plates) cut according to the shape of the window 4a. The glass unit is attached to the back side of the integrated door unit 4 via an attachment tool (not shown). A game area 8a (board surface, game board) is formed on the front surface of the game board unit 8, and this game area 8a is visible to the player from the front side through the window 4a. When the integrated door unit 4 is closed, a space where the game ball can flow down is formed between the inner surface of the glass unit and the board surface.

The tray unit 6 has a shape that protrudes from the integrated door unit 4 to the front side as a whole, and an upper tray 6b is formed on the upper surface thereof. In this upper plate 6b, game balls (rental balls) lent to the player and game balls (prize balls) obtained by winning can be stored. Further, in the tray unit 6, a lower tray 6c is formed at a lower position of the upper tray 6b. In the lower plate 6c, the game balls further paid out in a state where the upper plate 6b is full are stored. Note that the pachinko machine 1 of the present embodiment is a so-called CR machine (a model that is connected to a CR unit), and the game balls borrowed by the player are different from the prize balls from the payout device unit 172 on the back side to the saucer unit 6 (upper). It is dispensed to the plate 6b or the lower plate 6c).

A lending operation unit 14 is provided on the upper surface of the tray unit 6, and a ball lending button 10 and a return button 12 are arranged on the lending operation unit 14. When a player operates the ball lending button 10 with a valuable medium (for example, a magnetic recording medium, a memory IC built-in medium, etc.) inserted in a CR unit (not shown), the number corresponding to a predetermined frequency unit (for example, 5 degrees) (For example, 125) game balls are rented out. For this reason, a frequency display section (not shown) is arranged on the upper surface of the lending operation section 14, and the frequency display section displays the remaining frequency of the valuable medium loaded in the CR unit. It should be noted that the player can return the valuable medium with the remaining frequency by operating the return button 12. Although a CR machine is taken as an example in the present embodiment, the pachinko machine 1 may be a cash machine (a model that is not connected to the CR unit) different from the CR machine.

Further, on the upper surface of the tray unit 6, an upper plate ball removing button 6d is installed in front of the upper plate 6b in the upper position, and a lower plate ball removing lever 6e is provided in the center of the lower plate 6c. Is installed. The player can cause the game balls stored in the upper plate 6b to flow down to the lower plate 6c by pushing the upper plate ball removal button 6d, for example. Further, the player can slide the lower plate ball removing lever 6e, for example, to the left to drop and discharge the game balls stored in the lower plate 6c. The discharged game balls are received in, for example, a ball receiving box (not shown).

A handle unit 16 is installed in the lower right part of the tray unit 6. The player operates the firing control board set 174 by operating the handle unit 16 to launch (striking) a game ball toward the game area 8a (ball launch device). The launched game ball rises along the left side edge from the lower edge of the game board unit 8, is guided by an outer band (not shown), and is thrown into the game area 8a. A large number of obstacle nails and windmills (without reference numerals in the figure) are arranged in the game area 8a, and the thrown game balls flow down in the game area 8a while being guided and guided by the obstacle nails and windmills. The structure of the game area 8a (board surface, game board) will be described later with reference to another drawing.

[Structure of front of frame]
In the integrated door unit 4, a left top lens unit 47 and an upper right lighting unit 49 are installed as components for production. Among them, the left top lens unit 47 incorporates a glass frame top lamp 46 and a left glass frame decoration lamp 48, and the right upper illumination unit 49 incorporates a right glass frame decoration lamp 50. In addition, the integrated door unit 4 is provided with the left and right glass frame decoration lamps 52 so as to be continuous below the left top lens unit 47 and the upper right electric decoration unit 49, respectively. It extends so as to wrap around from the left and right edge portions of the integrated door unit 4 to the front surface portion of the tray unit 6. In the integrated door unit 4, the glass frame top lamp 46, the left and right glass frame decoration lamps 48, 50, 52, etc. are arranged so as to surround the glass unit.

The various lamps 46, 48, 50, and 52 described above perform effects by, for example, light emission (lighting or blinking, change in luminance gradation, change in color tone, etc.) of the built-in LED. Further, on the upper part of the integrated door unit 4, the left top lens unit 47 and the upper right illumination unit 49 are respectively equipped with glass frame speakers 54 and 55. On the other hand, an outer frame speaker 56 is incorporated in the lower left position of the outer frame unit 2. These speakers 54, 55, 56 output sound effects, BGM, voice and the like (general sound) to execute the effect.

Further, in the center of the saucer unit 6, an effect switching button 45 is installed in front of the upper tray 6b. The effect switching button 45 is, for example, a push-in button formed horizontally. The player switches the content of the effect (for example, the background screen displayed on the liquid crystal display 42) by pushing down the effect switching button 45, for example, during the change of the symbol, during the confirmation display of the big hit, or during the big hit game. It is possible to generate some kind of effect (preliminary effect, probable change promotion effect, promotion effect during major role, etc.). The effect switching button 45 may be simply called a “button”, a “push button”, or the like.

[Backside configuration]
As shown in FIG. 2, on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, a power supply control unit 162, a main control board unit 170, a payout device unit 172, a flow path unit 173, a firing control board set 174, a payout control board unit 176. , A back cover unit 178 and the like are installed. In addition to this, on the back side of the pachinko machine 1, various electronic devices (including a control computer (not shown)) constituting the power supply system and control system of the pachinko machine 1, an external terminal board 160, a power cord (power plug) 164, A ground wire (ground terminal) 166, connection wiring (not shown), etc. are installed.

The above-mentioned payout device unit 172 has, for example, a prize ball tank 172a and a prize ball case (no reference numeral), of which the prize ball tank 172a is installed at the upper edge (back side) of the inner frame assembly 7. In this state, it is possible to store the game balls supplied from the supply route (not shown). The game balls stored in the prize ball tank 172a are guided to the prize ball case through an upper prize ball gutter (not shown). The flow path unit 173 guides the game balls sent from the payout device unit 172 toward the tray unit 6 on the front surface side.

Further, the external terminal board 160 is for connecting the pachinko machine 1 to an external electronic device (for example, a data display device, a hall computer, etc.), and from this external terminal board 160, the game of the pachinko machine 1 is played. Various external information signals (for example, prize ball information, door opening information, symbol confirmation frequency information, big hit information, starting opening information, etc.) indicating the progress status and maintenance status, etc. are output to the external electronic device. ing.

The power cord 164 secures a power source (electric power) necessary for the operation of the pachinko machine 1 by being connected to, for example, a power source device (for example, AC 24V) installed in an island facility of a game arcade. The ground wire 166 is also connected to a ground terminal similarly installed in the island facility to secure the ground (ground) of the pachinko machine 1.

FIG. 3 is a front view showing the game board unit 8 alone. The game board unit 8 includes a game board 8b serving as a base, and a game area 8a is formed on the front surface side of the game board 8b. The game board 8b is made of, for example, a transparent resin plate, and the front surface of the game board 8b is parallel to the glass unit when the game board unit 8 is fixed to the inner frame assembly 7. On the front surface of the game board 8b, the above-mentioned game area 8a is formed inside a firing rail (no reference numeral) installed in a substantially circular shape.

In the game area 8a, a relatively large effect unit 40 is arranged at the center position, and the game area 8a is largely divided into a left part, a right part and a lower part with the effect unit 40 as the center. The left side portion of the game area 8a is a first game area (left hitting area) used in a normal game state (non-time shortening state), and the right side portion of the game area 8a is an advantageous game state (big hit game state, small It is a second game area (right hitting area) used in a hit game state, a low probability time shortened state, a high probability time shortened state, and the like. Further, in the game area 8a, the left start winning opening 26, the middle starting winning opening 27, the starting gate 20, the normal winning openings 22, 24, the variable starting winning device 28, the variable winning device 30, and the distribution around the effect unit 40. The devices 200 and the like are distributed and installed.

Of these, the distribution device 200 is arranged at the central position of the lower portion of the game area 8a. A distribution device inlet 202 is formed at the upper end of the distribution device 200, and a distribution device outlet 204 is formed at the two lower ends of the distribution device 200. The left start winning opening 26 and the middle starting winning opening 27 are arranged in a horizontal row at a position just below the two distribution device exits 204. With such a positional relationship, the game ball discharged from the distribution device outlet 204 can enter the left start winning opening 26 or the middle starting winning opening 27 with a very high probability.

Although not shown in detail, the distribution mechanism of the distribution device 200 includes, for example, a rotating body having two holes, a rotating body having a surface inclined in two directions, and a structure branched into two routes. By using it, the game balls can be almost equally distributed in two directions alternately. The game balls that have entered the distribution device entrance 202 are alternately distributed in two directions by such a distribution mechanism and are discharged from either of the two distribution device exits 204, and then the left start prize is arranged directly below the distribution device entrance 204. The balls will be alternately entered into the mouth 26 or the medium start winning opening 27 at a substantially equal rate.

The starting gate 20, the variable winning device 30 and the variable winning device 28 are arranged in this order from the top on the right side of the game area 8a. Further, the three left-side normal winning openings 22 are arranged in the left side portion of the game area 8a, and the right-side one normal winning opening 24 is arranged in the right side portion of the game area 8a.

The game ball thrown into the game area 8a passes through the starting gate 20 in the process of flowing down, enters the left starting winning opening 26, the middle starting winning opening 27, the normal winning openings 22 and 24, or , And the variable start winning device 28 (right start winning opening 28a) during operation and the variable winning device 30 (large winning opening 30a) during opening operation. Here, the game ball flowing down the left side area of the game area 8a may mainly enter the left starting winning opening 26, the middle starting winning opening 27, or the normal winning opening 22. There is. On the other hand, the game ball flowing down the right side area of the game area 8a mainly passes through the starting gate 20, enters the normal winning opening 24, enters the variable winning device 30 during the opening operation, or operates. There is a possibility of entering the variable start winning device 28 (right starting winning opening 28a).

The game balls that have passed through the starting gate 20 continue to flow down in the game area 8a, but the left starting winning opening 26, the middle starting winning opening 27, the normal winning openings 22 and 24, the variable starting winning device 28 (the right starting winning opening 28a ), the game balls that have entered the variable winning device 30 (big winning opening 30a) are transferred to the back side of the game board unit 8 through through holes formed in the game board (plywood material that constitutes the game board unit 8, transparent plate, etc.). Be recovered.

Here, in the present embodiment, due to the structure of the game area 8a (board surface), when a game ball is to be inserted into the left starting winning opening 26, the middle starting winning opening 27, or the normal winning opening 22, the left side within the playing area 8a. It is necessary to hit a game ball into a partial area (left hitting area) (execute so-called "left hitting").

On the other hand, when a game ball is to be entered into the variable start winning device 28 (right starting winning opening 28a), the variable winning device 30 (large winning opening 30a), or the normal winning opening 24, the area on the right side in the game area 8a ( It is necessary to hit a game ball in the right-handed area) (execute so-called "right-handed").

The above-mentioned variable start winning device 28 operates when a predetermined operating condition is satisfied (when a normal symbol is stopped and displayed in a winning manner), and accordingly, it is possible to enter the right starting winning opening 28a. Turn on (normal electric accessory). The variable start winning device 28 has, for example, one opening/closing member 28b, and the opening/closing member 28b reciprocates in the left-right direction along the board surface by the action of a link mechanism using a solenoid (not shown), for example. That is, as shown by the dotted line in FIG. 3, one opening/closing member 28b is in the closed position (closed position) with its tip facing upward, and at this time, the ball cannot enter the right starting winning opening 28a or It is difficult (there is no gap for game balls to enter). On the other hand, when the variable start winning device 28 is operated, the opening/closing member 28b is displaced (opened) from the closed position to the open position, the opening width is expanded to the right, and the right starting winning opening 28a is opened. During this time, the variable start winning device 28 is in a state in which it is possible or easy to enter game balls, and it is possible to generate a ball into the right starting winning opening 28a (variable starting winning means). At this time, the opening/closing member 28b also functions as a member for guiding the entry of the game ball into the right start winning opening 28a. In addition, the arrangement of the obstacle nails installed in the game board unit 8 is basically a mode that does not extremely hinder the flow of the game balls toward the variable start winning device 28 (the right starting winning opening 28a when opened). However, the game balls do not necessarily enter the variable start winning device 28 (right starting winning opening 28a) at the time of opening operation, and the balls are randomly generated.

The variable winning device 30 described above operates when the prescribed conditions are satisfied (when the special symbol is stopped and displayed in a mode other than the non-winning state), and allows the player to enter the special winning opening 30a (special Electric accessory, special prize event generation means).

The variable winning device 30 is a device arranged above the variable starting winning device 28, and has, for example, one opening/closing member 30b. The opening/closing member 30b reciprocates in the left-right direction with respect to the board surface by the action of a link mechanism using a solenoid (not shown), for example. As shown in the figure, one opening/closing member 30b is in a closed position (closed position) with its tip facing upward, and at this time, it is impossible or difficult to enter the special winning opening 30a (a gap where a game ball can enter) It is in a state that there is no). On the other hand, when the variable winning device 30 operates, the opening/closing member 30b is displaced (expanded) from the closed position toward the open position, and the opening width is expanded to the right to open the special winning opening 30a. During this period, the variable winning device 30 is in a state where it is possible or easy to enter game balls, and it is possible to generate a ball into the special winning opening 30a (variable winning means). At this time, the opening/closing member 30b also functions as a member for guiding the entry of game balls into the special winning opening 30a. In addition, the arrangement of the obstacle nails installed in the game board unit 8 is basically an aspect that does not extremely hinder the flow of the game balls toward the variable winning device 30 (the large winning opening 30a when opened). The game balls do not necessarily enter the variable winning device 30 during the opening operation, and the balls are randomly generated.

The above-mentioned effect unit 40 is installed in the game board unit 8 from its central position to the right side portion. The effect unit 40 has its upper edge 40a functioning as a guide member for changing the flow direction of the game ball, and is provided with various decorative parts 40b, 40c and the like inside thereof. The decorative parts 40b and 40c can enhance the decorativeness of the game board unit 8 by their three-dimensional modeling, and can perform a dramatic operation by emitting transmitted light by, for example, a built-in light emitting device (LED or the like). .. Further, a liquid crystal display 42 (image display) is installed inside the effect unit 40, and various effect images including effect symbols corresponding to special symbols are displayed on the liquid crystal indicator 42. .. In this way, the game board unit 8 impresses the player with the characteristics of the pachinko machine 1 based on the configuration of the board surface and the decorativeness of the effect unit 40. In addition, when the game board 8b is a transparent resin plate (for example, an acrylic board) as in the present embodiment, various decorative bodies (including a movable body and a light emitting body) arranged not only on the front side but also behind the game board 8b. ) Can add a decorative property.

In addition, inside the effect unit 40, a drive source (for example, a motor, a solenoid, etc.) is attached together with an effect movable body 40f (for example, a spade-shaped ornament). The movable body 40f for effect can perform an effect accompanied by the operation of a tangible object in addition to the effect using the image on the liquid crystal display 42 and the effect by the light emitter. By the effect using the movable body 40f, it is possible to exert an appealing power different from the effect using the two-dimensional image.

A ball guide passage 40d is formed at the left edge of the effect unit 40, and a rolling stage 40e is formed downstream thereof. The ball guide passage 40d opens diagonally upward to the left in the game area 8a, and when a game ball flowing down in the game area 8a flows into the ball guide passage 40d at random, the ball guide passage 40d rolls through the inside. It is discharged onto the stage 40e. The upper surface of the rolling stage 40e has a smooth curved surface, and here the game ball can roll in the left-right direction. The game ball rolled on the rolling stage 40e eventually flows down into the lower game area 8a. A sphere discharge path 40k is formed at the center of the rolling stage 40e, and the game sphere guided from the rolling stage 40e to the sphere discharge path 40k is a distribution that serves as an entrance to the distribution device 200 located thereunder. It becomes easy to flow into the apparatus inlet 202. Although the board surface configuration using the distribution device 200 is taken as an example here, the distribution device 200 does not have to be an indispensable configuration.

In addition, an out port 32 is formed in the game area 8a, and game balls that have not entered (winned) the various winning ports are finally collected to the back side of the game board unit 8 through the out port 32. Also, the game balls that have entered the normal winning openings 22 and 24, the left starting winning opening 26, the middle starting winning opening 27, the variable starting winning device 28 (right starting winning opening 28a), and the variable winning device 30 (large winning opening 30a). All the game balls that have been hit in the game area 8a are collected on the back side of the game board unit 8. The collected game balls are discharged from the back side of the pachinko machine 1 to the outside of the frame through an out passage assembly (not shown), and further join a supply route of island equipment (not shown).

FIG. 4 is an enlarged front view showing a part of the pachinko machine 1 (the central portion of the saucer unit 6 and its peripheral position). At the front position of the upper plate 6b, the button unit 300 is installed in a state in which the lower part thereof is embedded in the receiving pan unit 6, and only the effect switching button 45 which is the upper part thereof can be visually recognized by the player. As the game progresses, the player follows the instruction displayed on the liquid crystal display 42, and pushes in the effect switching button 45 as necessary. Although only the effect switching button 45 is shown here, other modes such as up/down/left/right direction keys may be provided. The detailed structure of the button unit 300 will be described later in detail.

FIG. 5 is an enlarged front view showing a part of the game board unit 8 (lower left position in the window 4a). That is, in the game board unit 8, for example, a normal symbol display device 33 and a normal symbol operation memory lamp 33a are provided at the lower left position in the window 4a, a first special symbol display device 34, a second special symbol display device 35. And a game state display device 38 is provided. Of these, the normal symbol display device 33, for example, alternately lights two lamps (LEDs) to display the normal symbol in a variable manner, and stops and displays the normal symbol by turning on or off the lamp. The normal symbol working memory lamp 33a displays a memory number of 0 to 4 by a combination of turning off or lighting and blinking of two lamps (LEDs), for example. For example, in the display mode in which both the two lamps are turned off, the number of memories is 0, in the display mode in which one lamp is turned on, the number of memories is 1 is displayed, and in the display mode in which the same one lamp is blinked. Two memory numbers are displayed, three memory numbers are displayed in the display mode in which one lamp is blinked and another lamp is turned on, and four memory numbers are displayed in the display mode in which two lamps are both blinked. For example, displaying individual pieces. Although two lamps (LED) are used here, four lamps (LED) may be used to configure the normal symbol working memory lamp 33a. In this case, the working memory number can be displayed by the number of lamps that are turned on.

The normal symbol working memory lamp 33a is changed to a display mode after being increased by one in order to remember that each time the game ball passes through the above-mentioned starting gate 20, a passage that triggers the working lottery occurs. Then (up to 4 pieces at maximum), with the passage as a trigger, each time the fluctuation of the normal symbol is started, the display mode is changed to one after the decrease. In the present embodiment, when the normal symbol working memory lamp 33a is not lit (the number of memory is 0), the game ball passes through the starting gate 20 in a state where the normal symbol can already start changing (at the time of stop display). However, the display mode does not change. That is, the number of memories (maximum four) represented by the display mode of the normal symbol working memory lamp 33a represents the number of passages at which the fluctuation of the normal symbol has not yet started.

Further, the first special symbol display device 34 and the second special symbol display device 35, for example, each 7 segment LED (with a dot), the corresponding 1st special symbol or the second special symbol variable state and stop state are displayed. Can be done (design display means). The first special symbol display device 34 and the second special symbol display device 35 may have a form in which a plurality of dot LEDs are geometrically (for example, circular) arranged.

Further, the first special symbol working memory lamp 34a and the second special symbol working memory lamp 35a are, for example, 0 to 4 pieces each according to a display mode configured by a combination of two lamps (LEDs) being turned off or turned on or blinking. The memory number of is displayed (memory number display means). For example, in the display mode in which both the two lamps are turned off, the number of memories is 0, in the display mode in which one lamp is turned on, the number of memories is 1 is displayed, and in the display mode in which the same one lamp is blinked. Two memory numbers are displayed, three memory numbers are displayed in the display mode in which one lamp is blinked and another lamp is turned on, and four memory numbers are displayed in the display mode in which two lamps are both blinked. For example, displaying individual pieces.

The first special symbol working memory lamp 34a is a display mode after increasing by one in order to remember that the game ball has entered the left starting winning opening 26 every time the game ball flows into the left starting winning opening 26. It changes to (up to 4 pieces), and each time the variation of the special symbol is triggered by the entry, it changes to the display mode after decreasing by one piece. Further, the second special symbol working memory lamp 35a, the middle start winning opening 27 or the right starting winning opening each time a game ball enters the middle starting winning opening 27 or the variable starting winning device 28 (right starting winning opening 28a). In order to memorize that a game ball has entered 28a, the display mode is changed one by one (up to a maximum of four), and it is 1 each time the variation of the special symbol is triggered by the entry. The display mode is changed to the display mode after the number is reduced by one. In the present embodiment, when the first special symbol working memory lamp 34a is not lit (the number of memories is 0), the first special symbol can be already started to change (at the time of stop display), the left starting winning opening 26. The display mode does not change even if a game ball enters. In addition, when the second special symbol working memory lamp 35a is not lit (the number of stored is 0), the second special symbol can already start changing (at the time of stop display), the medium starting winning opening 27 or the right starting winning opening. Even if a game ball enters 28a, the display mode does not change. That is, the number of memories (maximum 4) represented by the display mode of each of the special symbol working memory lamps 34a and 35a is the number of memorized balls at which the fluctuation of the first special symbol or the second special symbol has not started yet. Represents the number of times.

Further, the gaming state display device 38 includes a plurality of LEDs corresponding to, for example, the probability variation state display lamp 38d, the time saving state display lamp 38e, and the firing position designation lamp 38f. In the present embodiment, the above-mentioned normal symbol display device 33, normal symbol working memory lamp 33a, first special symbol display device 34, second special symbol display device 35, first special symbol working memory lamp 34a, second special symbol The symbol working memory lamp 35a and the game state display device 38 are attached to the game board unit 8 in a state of being mounted on one integrated display board 89.

[Control configuration]
Next, a configuration related to control of the pachinko machine 1 will be described. FIG. 6 is a block diagram showing various electronic devices mounted on the pachinko machine 1. The pachinko machine 1 is equipped with a main control device 70 (main control computer) that is the center of the control operation, and this main control device 70 mainly has a function of controlling the progress of the game in the pachinko machine 1. There is. The main controller 70 is built in the main control board unit 170.

Further, the main control device 70 is equipped with a circuit board (main control board) on which a main control CPU 72, which is a central processing unit, is mounted. The main control CPU 72 has a ROM 74, a RAM ( It is configured as an LSI in which a semiconductor memory such as RWM) 76 is integrated. Further, the main controller 70 is equipped with a random number generator 75 and a sampling circuit 77. Among them, the random number generator 75 is for generating a hardware random number (for example, 0 to 65535 in decimal notation) for the big hit determination of the special symbol lottery and the hit determination of the ordinary symbol lottery, and the random number generated here. Is input to the main control CPU 72 through the sampling circuit 77. In addition, the main control device 70 is equipped with peripheral ICs such as an input/output (I/O) port 79, a clock generation circuit (not shown), and a counter/timer circuit (CTC). It is mounted on the board. A signal transmission path, a power supply path, a control bus, etc. are formed as a wiring pattern on the circuit board (or inner layer portion).

The starting gate 20 described above is integrally provided with a gate switch 78 for detecting passage of a game ball. In addition, in the game board unit 8, the left start winning opening 26, the middle starting winning opening 27, the variable starting winning device 28 (right starting winning opening 28a), the variable winning device 30 (big winning opening 30a) respectively corresponding to the left. A start winning opening switch 80, a middle starting winning opening switch 83, a right starting winning opening switch 82 and a count switch 84 are provided. Each of the starting winning opening switches 80, 82, 83 is for detecting the entry of a game ball into the left starting winning opening 26, the variable starting winning device 28 (right starting winning opening 28a), and the middle starting winning opening 27. is there. The count switch 84 is for detecting the number of game balls entering the variable winning device 30 (the special winning opening 30a) and counting the number. Similarly, the game board unit 8 is equipped with a first winning opening switch 81 corresponding to the normal winning opening 22 and a second winning opening switch 86 corresponding to the normal winning opening 24. The first winning opening switch 81 detects the entry of a game ball into the normal winning opening 22 located on the left side of the board, and the second winning opening switch 86 enters the game ball into the normal winning opening 24 located on the right side of the board. To detect. In addition, here, the structure using the individual winning hole switches 81 and 86 for the normal winning holes 22 and 24 is taken as an example, but for example, as a structure using a common winning hole switch for all the normal winning holes 22 and 24. Good.

In any case, the winning detection signals of these switches 78 to 86 are input to the main control CPU 72 via an input/output driver (not shown). Note that, in the configuration of the game board unit 8, in the present embodiment, the winning detection signals from the gate switch 78, the count switch 84, the first winning opening switch 81 and the second winning opening switch 86 are passed through the panel relay terminal board 87. The panel relay terminal plate 87 is provided with wiring patterns and connection terminals for relaying the respective winning detection signals.

The above-mentioned normal symbol display device 33, normal symbol working memory lamp 33a, first special symbol display device 34, second special symbol display device 35, first special symbol working memory lamp 34a, second special symbol working memory lamp 35a and game The display operation of the status display device 38 is controlled based on a control signal from the main control CPU 72. The main control CPU 72 outputs control signals to the display devices 33, 34, 35, 38 and the lamps 33a, 34a, 35a according to the progress of the game, and controls the lighting state of each LED. Further, the display devices 33, 34, 35, 38 and the lamps 33a, 34a, 35a are installed in the game board unit 8 in a state of being mounted on one integrated display board 89 as described above, A control signal is transmitted from the main control CPU 72 to the display substrate 89 by relaying the panel relay terminal plate 87 described above.

In addition, the game board unit 8 is provided with a normal electric auditors product solenoid 88 and a special winning opening solenoid 90 corresponding to the variable start winning device 28 and the variable winning device 30, respectively. These solenoids 88, 90 operate (excite) based on a control signal from the main control CPU 72, and open/close (operate) the variable start winning device 28 and the variable winning device 30, respectively. Control signals are transmitted from the main control CPU 72 to these solenoids 88 and 90 by relaying the panel relay terminal board 87.

In addition, a glass frame opening switch 91 is installed in the glass frame unit 4, and a plastic frame opening switch 93 is installed in the plastic frame assembly 7. When the glass frame unit 4 is independently opened, a contact signal from the glass frame opening switch 91 is input to the main controller 70 (main control CPU 72), and the plastic frame assembly 7 is opened from the outer frame assembly 2. Then, a contact signal from the plastic frame opening switch 93 is input to the main controller 70 (main control CPU 72). The main control CPU 72 can detect the open state of the glass frame unit 4 and the plastic frame assembly 7 from these contact signals. When the open state of the glass frame unit 4 or the plastic frame assembly 7 is detected, the main control CPU 72 generates a door open information signal as the above external information signal.

A payout control device 92 is provided on the back side of the pachinko machine 1. The payout control device 92 (payout control computer) controls the operation of the above-described payout device unit 172. The payout control device 92 is equipped with a circuit board (payout control board) on which a payout control CPU 94 is mounted. The payout control CPU 94 is also an LSI in which a semiconductor memory such as a ROM 96 and a RAM 98 is integrated together with a CPU core (not shown). It is configured. The payout control device 92 (payout control CPU 94) controls the operation of the payout device unit 172 based on the prize ball instruction command from the main control CPU 72, and executes the payout operation of the requested number of game balls. The main control CPU 72 generates a prize ball information signal as the external information signal together with the prize ball instruction command.

In a prize ball case (not shown) of the payout device unit 172, a payout device substrate 100 is installed together with a payout motor 102 (for example, a stepping motor), and a drive circuit for the payout motor 102 is provided on the payout device substrate 100. There is. The payout device substrate 100 specifically controls the rotation angle of the payout motor 102 based on the payout number instruction signal from the payout control device 92 (payout control CPU 94), and pays out the instructed number of game balls from the prize ball case. Let out. The paid game balls are sent to the tray unit 6 through the payout flow path in the flow path unit 173.

Further, for example, the payout passage ball cut switch 104 is installed at the upstream position of the prize ball case, and the payout counting switch 106 is installed at the downstream position of the payout motor 102. When a prize ball is actually paid out by driving the payout motor 102, a count signal from the payout counting switch 106 is input to the payout device substrate 100 each time. Further, when a ball break occurs at the upstream position of the prize ball case, a contact signal from the payout path ball break switch 104 is input to the payout device substrate 100. The payout device substrate 100 transmits the input count signal and contact signal to the payout control device 92 (payout control CPU 94). The payout control CPU 94 can detect the actual number of payouts and the out-of-ball state based on the signal received from the payout device substrate 100.

Further, in the pachinko machine 1, for example, a full tank switch 161 is installed inside the lower plate 6c (position of the back when viewed from the front of the pachinko machine 1). The prize balls (game balls) actually paid out are discharged to the upper plate 6b through the above-mentioned flow path unit 173, but when the upper plate 6b is filled with the game balls, the game balls further paid out It flows into the lower plate 6c as described above. Further, when the lower plate 6c is filled with game balls, the full tank switch 161 is turned on, and the full tank detection signal is input to the payout control device 92 (payout control CPU 94). In response to this, even if the payout control CPU 94 receives the prize ball instruction command from the main control CPU 72, the payout ball CPU 94 temporarily suspends the further prize ball operation, and stores the remaining unpaid prize ball number in the RAM 98. The memory of the RAM 98 can be backed up even when the power is cut off, and even if a power failure (including a momentary power failure) occurs during the game, the unpaid prize ball remaining number information is not lost. ..

On the back side of the pachinko machine 1, a firing solenoid 110 is installed together with the firing control board 108. Further, a ball feeding solenoid 111 is provided in the tray unit 6. The firing control board 108, the firing solenoid 110, and the ball feed solenoid 111 constitute the above-mentioned firing control board set 174. Of these, the firing control board 108 is provided with drive circuits for the firing solenoid 110 and the ball feed solenoid 111. ing. Among them, the ball feed solenoid 111 performs an operation of sending the game balls stored in the tray unit 6 one by one to a predetermined launch position in the launcher case. In addition, the firing solenoid 110 strikes the game ball sent to the firing position and continuously (intermittently) shoots one game ball toward the game area 8 as described above. The game balls are emitted at intervals of, for example, about 0.6 seconds (100 or less per minute).

On the other hand, the grip unit 16 located on the front side of the pachinko machine 1 is provided with a firing lever volume 112, a touch sensor 114, and a firing stop switch 116. Of these, the firing lever volume 112 generates an analog signal proportional to the operation amount (so-called stroke) of the firing handle by the player. Further, the touch sensor 114 detects that the player's body is touching the grip unit 16 (the firing handle) from the change in the electrostatic capacitance, and outputs the detection signal. Then, the firing stop switch 116 generates a firing stop signal (contact signal) according to the operation of the player.

A launch relay terminal board 118 is installed in the saucer unit 6, and signals from the launch lever volume 112, the touch sensor 114, and the firing stop switch 116 are sent via the launch relay terminal board 118 to the firing control board 108. Sent to. The drive signal from the firing control board 108 is applied to the ball feeding solenoid 111 via the firing relay terminal board 118. When the player operates the firing handle, an analog signal (may be an encoded digital signal) is generated by the firing lever volume 112 according to the operation amount, and the firing solenoid 110 is driven based on the signal at this time. As a result, the strength with which the game ball is launched is adjusted according to the amount of operation by the player. The drive circuit of the firing control board 108 stops driving the firing solenoid 110 when the detection signal from the touch sensor 114 is off (low level) or when the firing stop signal is input from the firing stop switch 116. To do. In addition to this, the game ball lending device connection terminal plate 120 is connected to the launch relay terminal plate 118, and when the CR unit is not connected to the game ball lending device connection terminal plate 120, the same is launched. The drive circuit of the control board 108 stops the drive of the firing solenoid 110.

Further, the tray unit 6 has a frequency display board 122 and a lending/returning switch board 123 built therein. Of these, the frequency display substrate 122 is provided with a display device (3 segment 7-segment LED) of the frequency display unit. Further, switch modules connected to the ball lending button 10 and the return button 12 are mounted on the lending/returning switch board 123, and when the ball lending button 10 or the return button 12 is operated, the operation signal thereof is lent. And it is transmitted from the return switch board 123 to the CR unit via the lending device connection terminal board 120 for gaming balls and the like. In addition, from the CR unit, a frequency signal indicating the remaining frequency of the valuable medium is transmitted to the frequency display board 122 via the lending device connection terminal board 120 for gaming balls and the like. A display circuit (not shown) on the frequency display substrate 122 drives the display device based on the frequency signal to numerically display the remaining frequency of the valuable medium. In addition, when the valuable medium is not loaded into the CR unit or the remaining frequency of the loaded valuable medium becomes 0, the display circuit of the frequency display board 122 drives the display unit to display a demo display (the valuable medium). Can also be displayed).

Further, the pachinko machine 1 is provided with a production control device 124 (production control computer) as a control configuration. This effect control device 124 controls the effect associated with the progress of the game in the pachinko machine 1. The effect control device 124 is also equipped with a circuit board (composite sub-control board) on which an effect control CPU 126, which is a central processing unit, is mounted. The effect control CPU 126 incorporates a semiconductor memory such as a ROM 128 or a RAM 130 as a main memory together with a CPU core (not shown). The effect control device 124 is provided on the back side of the pachinko machine 1 at a position covered by the back cover unit 178.

In addition, the production control device 124 is equipped with an input/output driver (not shown) and various peripheral ICs, as well as a lamp drive circuit 132 and a sound drive circuit 134. The effect control CPU 126 controls the effect based on the command for effect transmitted from the main control CPU 72, gives a command to the lamp drive circuit 132 and the sound drive circuit 134, and emits various lamps 46 to 52 and the panel lamp 53. The process of causing the speakers 54, 55, 56 to actually output sound effects, voice, and the like is performed.

The effect control device 124 and the main control device 70 are connected to each other via, for example, a communication harness (not shown). However, communication between them is performed only in one direction from the main control device 70 to the effect control device 124, and communication in the opposite direction is not performed. The communication harness may adopt a parallel format according to the bus width of various commands transmitted from the main control device 70 to the effect control device 124, or each driver IC (I/O). The serial format may be adopted according to the hardware configuration of.

The lamp drive circuit 132 includes, for example, a switching element such as a PWM (pulse width modulation) IC or a MOSFET (not shown), and the lamp drive circuit 132 switches the drive voltage applied to various lamps including LEDs (or duty switching). ) And manage the operations such as light emission and blinking. In addition to the glass frame top lamps 46, 48, the glass frame side lamps 50, and the saucer lamps 52, the various lamps include a decoration/effect board surface lamp 53 installed in the game board unit 8. The board lamp 53 corresponds to an LED built in the above-mentioned effect unit, an LED built in the variable start winning device 28, the variable winning device 30, or the like. Here, an example in which the saucer lamp 52 is connected to the glass frame decorative board 136 is given, but a saucer decorative board is installed in the saucer unit 6, and the saucer lamp 52 is connected via the saucer decorative board. It may be connected to the lamp drive circuit 132.

The sound drive circuit 134 is, for example, a sound generator having a sound ROM, a sound control IC, an amplifier, etc., which are not shown, and the sound drive circuit 134 drives the upper speaker 54 and the lower speaker 56 to perform sound output. ..

In the present embodiment, a glass frame electric decoration substrate 136 is installed on the inner surface of the glass frame unit 4, and drive signals from the lamp drive circuit 132 and the acoustic drive circuit 134 pass through the glass frame electric decoration substrate 136 and various lamps 46. To 52 and speakers 54, 55, 56. In addition, the above-mentioned production switching button 45 is connected to the glass frame electric circuit board 136, and when the player operates the production switching button 45, the contact signal is sent to the production control device 124 through the glass frame electric circuit board 136. Is entered. Although the example in which the production switching button 45 is connected to the glass frame decorative board 136 is given here, when the above-mentioned saucer decorative board is installed, the production switching button 45 is connected to the saucer decorative board. Good.

In addition, a panel lighting board 138 is installed in the game board unit 8, and a movable body motor 57 is connected to the panel lighting board 138 in addition to the board surface lamp 53. The movable body motor 57 drives the movable body 40f via a link mechanism (not shown), for example. The drive signal from the lamp drive circuit 132 is applied to the panel lamp 53 and the movable body motor 57 via the panel illumination board 138, respectively.

The liquid crystal display 42 is installed on the back side of the game board unit 8, and its display screen is visible through a substantially rectangular opening formed in the game board unit 8. Further, an inverter board 158 is installed on the back side of the game board unit 8, and this inverter board 158 generates an AC power source that is applied to a backlight (for example, a cold cathode tube) of the liquid crystal display 42. Further, the effect display control device 144 is installed on the back side of the game board unit 8, and the display operation by the liquid crystal display 42 is controlled by the effect display control device 144. The effect display control device 144 is equipped with a display control CPU 146, which is a general-purpose central processing unit, and a circuit board (effect display control board) on which the VDP 152 that is a display processor is mounted. Of these, the display control CPU 146 is configured as an LSI in which semiconductor memories such as a ROM 148 and a RAM 150 are integrated together with a CPU core (not shown). Further, the VDP 152 is configured as an LSI in which semiconductor memories such as an image ROM 154 and a VRAM 156 are integrated together with a processor core (not shown). The VRAM 156 can use a part of its storage area as a frame buffer.

A ROM 128 of the effect control CPU 126 stores a basic program relating to effect control, and the effect control CPU 126 executes effect control according to this program. The control of the effect includes control of the effect using the various lamps 46 to 53 and the speakers 54, 55, 56 as described above, as well as the control of the effect by image display using the liquid crystal display 42. .. The production control CPU 126 transmits basic information (e.g., production number) related to the production to the display control CPU 146, and the display control CPU 146 which has received this transmits a specific image for production based on the basic information. Control to display.

The display control CPU 146 outputs a more detailed control signal to the VDP 152. Upon receiving this, the VDP 152 accesses the image ROM 154 based on the control signal, reads necessary image data from the image ROM 154, and transfers it to the VRAM 156. Further, the VDP 152 expands image data in the VRAM 156 for each frame (still image per unit time) in a frame buffer, and based on the buffered image data, each pixel (full color pixel) of the liquid crystal display 42 is displayed. Drive individually.

In addition, a power control unit 162 (power control means) is provided on the back side of the plastic frame assembly 7. The power supply control unit 162 incorporates a switching power supply circuit, and when external power (for example, AC24V or the like) is taken from the island facility through the power cord 164, necessary power (for example, DC+34V, +12V or the like) can be generated from the external power. The electric power generated by the power supply control unit 162 is distributed to the main control device 70, the payout control device 92, the effect control device 124, and the inverter board 158. Further, the electric power is supplied to the launch control board 108 via the payout control device 92, and the electric power is supplied to the CR unit via the game ball lending device connection terminal board 120. The low-voltage power for logic (for example, DC+5V) is generated by a power supply IC (three-terminal regulator or the like) built in each device. Further, as described above, the power supply control unit 164 is grounded (grounded) to the island facility through the ground wire 166.

The external terminal board 160 is connected to the payout control device 92, and various external information signals generated by the main control device 70 (main control CPU 72) pass through the payout control device 92 and the external terminal board 160. Is output from the outside. The main controller 70 (main control CPU 72) and the payout controller 92 (payout control CPU 94) can output an external information signal to the outside of the pachinko machine 1 through the external terminal board 160. The signals output from the external terminal board 160 are totaled by, for example, a hall computer (not shown) in the game arcade. Note that, here, the configuration via the payout control device 92 is taken as an example, but the external information signal may be directly output from the main control device 70 to the external terminal board 160.

[Structure of button unit]
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the button unit 300 in an initial state. Here, the initial state refers to a state in which the effect switching button 45, which is the upper part of the button unit, is in a position (initial position) where it is not pushed.

The outer appearance of the button unit 300 has a shape in which a trapezoid having rounded corners extends in the height direction as a whole by the button case 310 and the effect switching button 45 put on the upper portion thereof. The button case 310 is formed in a container shape having a depth, and stores various members constituting the button unit 300 in its internal space. The upper end of the button case 310 has a side surface that is bent outward. The button unit 300 is installed in a state where the lower part of the button case 310 from the upper end is embedded in the saucer unit 6.

The effect switching button 45 covers the opening formed in the upper part of the button case 310. The effect switching button 45 has a certain height, and in the initial state, protrudes largely above the upper end of the button case 310.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the button unit 300 in a depressed state. Here, the pressed state refers to a state in which the effect switching button 45 is in a position (pressed position) where the effect switching button 45 is pressed.
In the pressed state, most of the effect switching button 45 in the height direction is inside the button case 310, and only the upper part (operation surface) of the effect switching button 45 is above the upper end of the button case 310. I have a peek in my face.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of the button unit 300. In order to facilitate understanding of the invention, only the main members constituting the button unit 300 are shown in this figure, and the other members (for example, screws, springs, built-in ornaments, etc.) are not shown. I will.

When the button unit 300 is disassembled, it can be seen that the button case 310, the movable member 320, the photo sensor 330, the substrate 340, and the button cover 350 are stacked and assembled in order from the bottom. The button unit 300 is configured such that the other constituent members of the button unit 300 are housed in the internal space of a button case 310 formed in a container shape.

The button case 310 forms the lowermost part of the button unit 300, and the button unit 300 itself does not displace when the operation switch button 45 is pressed. The button case 310 has a fixed column 312, a rib 314, and a guide sleeve 316. The rib 314 and the fixed column 312 stand upright from the bottom plate of the button case 310, while the guide sleeve 316 penetrates the bottom plate of the button case 310 and projects downward. The two fixing posts 312 pass through holes provided in other members housed in the internal space of the button case 310 to determine the horizontal positions of the other members. A rib 314 is provided on the front side of the fixed column 312. The rib 314 has a role of guiding the displacement direction of the movable member 320 when the effect switching button 45 is pressed. The shape and function of the rib 314 will be described later in detail. Guide sleeves 316 are provided on the left and right ends of the bottom plate of the button case 310. The two guide sleeves 316 have a role of receiving the movable column 326 provided on the movable member 320 and guiding the displacement direction of the movable column 326 when the effect switching button 45 is pressed.

The movable member 320 is superposed on the button case 310 and is displaced when the effect switching button 45 is pressed. The movable member 320 has a through hole 322, a light blocking plate 324, a support cylinder 325, and a rib receiving hole 328. The two through holes 322 are formed by boring the bottom plate of the movable member 320, and receive the fixed columns 312 formed in the button case 310. The light blocking plate 324 extends in a plate shape in the vertical direction, and its upper end is connected to the bottom surface of the movable member 320.

The two support cylinders 325 penetrate the bottom plate of the movable member 320 and project in the vertical direction, and support the movable pillar 326 formed in a columnar shape on the inner surface thereof. The movable column 326 is fixed in a state of largely protruding below the lower end of the support cylinder 325. The movable column 326 is received by the guide sleeve 316 provided on the button case 310. The rib receiving hole 328 is formed by punching the bottom plate of the movable member 320, and receives the rib 314 provided on the button case 310. The movable member 320 and other members that are displaced when the effect switching button 45 is pressed are supported so as to be displaceable between the initial position and the pressed position by the cooperation of the movable column 326 and the guide sleeve 316. When the performance switching button 45 is pressed, the movable member 320 is guided downward by the rib 314 and the movable column 326 is displaced downward by being guided by the guide sleeve 316. When the pressing of the effect switching button 45 is released, the movable member 320 is again guided by the rib 314 and displaced upward, and the movable column 326 is guided by the guide sleeve 316 and displaced upward.

The substrate 340 is stacked on the movable member 320 with the photo sensor 330 fixed to the bottom surface thereof. The substrate 340 is indirectly fixed to the button case 310 and does not move when the effect switching button 45 is pressed. The board 340 has two pillar receiving holes 342 formed by boring the board. The column receiving hole 342 receives the fixed column 312 formed in the button case 310. On the upper surface of the substrate 340, a plurality of LED chips (not shown) for lighting the effect switching button 45 are mounted. The photo sensor 330 fixed to the bottom surface of the substrate 340 has two legs, and in the initial state, the light shielding plate 324 is located between the two legs, whereas in the pressed state, the light shielding plate 324 is shielded. Plate 324 is present in a position offset downwardly from the two legs. By arranging the light shielding plate 324 in such a position, the photo sensor 330 can detect the pressing operation on the effect switching button 45. The structure of the photo sensor 330 will be described later.

The button cover 350 is formed in the shape of a lid and forms the uppermost part of the button unit 300, and the upper part thereof functions as the effect switching button 45 that receives a pressing operation from the player. The button cover 350 is fixed to the movable member 320 via the screw hole 352, and is displaced when the effect switching button 45 is pressed. The button cover 350 is formed of a translucent member, and transmits the light emitted by the LED chip mounted on the substrate 340 above the performance switching button 45. This allows the player to visually recognize the lighting state of the effect switching button 45.

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating the structure of the photo sensor 330.
As shown in this figure, the photo sensor 330 is mounted (fixed) on the bottom surface of the substrate 340, and is energized via the substrate 340. The photo sensor 330 has a U-shaped open portion facing downward and has two legs. Inside the two legs, a pair of a light emitting portion 332 and a light receiving portion 334 are provided. The light emitting section 332 provided on one leg emits infrared rays IR toward the light receiving section 334 provided on the other leg. The light receiving unit 334 can receive the infrared IR if there is no obstacle on the optical axis of the infrared IR emitted from the light emitting unit 332.

As described above, in the state where the effect switching button 45 is not pushed in (initial position), the light shielding plate 324 is located between the two legs, that is, on the optical axis of the infrared IR. The light blocking plate 324 blocks the infrared rays IR emitted from the light emitting section 332, and the light receiving section 334 cannot receive the infrared rays IR. On the other hand, in the state where the effect switching button 45 is pushed in (pressed position), the light shielding plate 324 is displaced to the position deviating from the optical axis of the infrared IR, so that the light receiving section 334 is emitted from the light emitting section 332. Infrared IR can be received.

In this way, the light receiving state of the infrared IR by the light receiving section 334 changes according to the displacement of the light shielding plate 324 due to the depression of the effect switching button 45. The photo sensor 330 can detect the pressing operation to the effect switching button 45 or the release thereof based on the light receiving state of the light receiving section 334. Specifically, the photo sensor 330 detects the pressing operation on the effect switching button 45 if the light receiving unit 334 receives the infrared IR, and detects the pressing operation on the effect switching button 45 if the light receiving unit 334 does not receive the infrared IR. It is possible to detect the release of the pushing operation.

[Mutual position of components in the initial state]
FIG. 11 is a vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the line XI-XI in FIG. 7) in the initial state of the button unit 300.

As shown in this figure, the button cover 350 is assembled with the lower end thereof being perfectly connected to the upper end of the movable member 320. Therefore, when the button cover 350 is displaced downward, the movable member 320 and the light-shielding plate 324 forming a part thereof are also displaced downward simultaneously with the displacement. On the other hand, in addition to the inner lens 360 and the substrate 340 provided at a position sandwiched between the button cover 350 and the movable member 320, the photo sensor 330 fixed to the bottom surface of the substrate 340 is a button case, either directly or indirectly. It is fixed with respect to 310. Therefore, these members 330, 340, 360 are always kept in a fixed position even if the button cover 350 is displaced downward.

The upper part of the movable column 326 is supported by a support cylinder 325 that extends vertically through the bottom plate of the movable member 320, while the lower part of the movable column 326 is formed by the guide sleeve 316 formed on the button case 310 and the guide sleeve 316. It is received in a movable state by an auxiliary sleeve 317 that is closely attached to the inside. Therefore, when the button cover 350 is displaced downward, the movable column 326 is displaced downward in conjunction with this. At this time, the compression coil spring 327 is pushed from above and compressed between the support cylinder 325 and the auxiliary sleeve 317.

Since the button unit 300 shown in this figure is in the initial position, the upper portion (effect switching button 45) of the button cover 350 largely projects above the upper end portion of the button case 310. In addition, the light blocking plate 324 is located between the two legs of the photo sensor 330. In the photo sensor 330, two legs are located between ribs 314 that stand in the height direction from the bottom plate of the button case 310.

FIG. 12 is a horizontal cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the section line XII-XII in FIG. 11) of the button unit 300 in the initial state.
The rib 314 is formed in two U-shapes such that the respective open portions face each other. The two legs of the photo sensor 330 are located in a position surrounded by the rib 314. A light emitting unit 332 is provided inside one leg of the photo sensor, and a light receiving unit is provided inside the other leg that faces the photo sensor. The light blocking plate 324 is located on the optical axis of the infrared rays IR emitted from the light emitting section 332. As described above, in the initial state, the infrared rays IR are blocked by the light shielding plate 324, so that the light receiving section 334 cannot receive the infrared rays IR.

[Mutual position of constituent members in pressed state]
FIG. 13 is a vertical cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line XIII-XIII in FIG. 8) in the pressed state of the button unit 300.
In order to confirm the mutual position of each member constituting the button unit 300, the button unit 300 in the pressed state shown in this figure will be compared with the button unit 300 in the initial state shown in FIG. The absolute positions (positions based on the saucer unit 6) of the cutting lines (XII-XII line in FIG. 11 and XIV-XIV line in FIG. 13) drawn in each figure with respect to the button case 310 are the same. ..

In the pressed state, first, the position of the button cover 350 is displaced downward, and most of its height direction portion largely enters the inside of the button case 310. In addition, with the displacement of the button cover 350, the movable member 320 connected to the button cover 350, and the light blocking plate 324 and the movable column 326 connected to the movable member 320 similarly move downward with the same displacement amount as the button cover 350. It is displaced. The light blocking plate 324 is located at a position displaced from between the two legs of the photosensor 330 (on the optical axis) due to the downward displacement. Note that neither the photo sensor 330 nor the rib 314 is displaced along with the displacement of the button cover 350, so that the mutual positions do not change from those in the initial state.

The movable column 326 is guided by the guide sleeve 316, and more specifically, guided by the inner side surface of an auxiliary sleeve 317 provided in close contact with the inside of the guide sleeve 316 and displaced downward. Since the compression coil spring 327 is arranged between the support cylinder 325 (movable member 320) that is displaced along with the displacement of the button cover 350 and the auxiliary sleeve 317 (guide sleeve 316) that is not displaced, the compression coil spring 327 is not displaced. Along with this, it receives a downward force and is compressed. Therefore, the length of the coil spring 327 is shorter than that in the button unit 300 shown in FIG.

FIG. 14 is a lateral cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the XIV-XIV cutting line in FIG. 13) in the pressed state of the button unit 300. Here again, in order to confirm the mutual positions of the members forming the button unit 300, the button unit 300 in the pressed state shown in this figure will be compared with the button unit 300 in the initial state shown in FIG. ..

In the initial state (FIG. 12), the support cylinder 325 and the movable column 326 are shown in cross section, whereas in the depressed state (FIG. 14), only the outline of the upper surface is shown. As a result, it can be seen that the movable member 320 and the members connected to the movable member 320 are pushed down to positions below the initial position.
Further, the light blocking plate 324 is displaced to the position off the optical axis of the infrared ray IR emitted from the light emitting section 332 in conjunction with the downward movement of the movable member 320. Therefore, in the pressed state, the infrared light IR is not blocked by the light blocking plate 324, and thus the light receiving unit 334 can receive the infrared light IR.

[Rib shape and function]
FIG. 15 is a perspective view showing the button case 310 alone.
As shown in this figure, the bottom plate of the button case 310 has a bulge in the central portion when viewed in the width direction, and is formed at a position higher than both end portions that are continuous to the left and right. The button case 310 has the fixed column 312, the rib 314, and the guide sleeve 316 as described above. Among them, the fixed column 312 and the rib 314 are in the center of the bottom plate, and the guide sleeves 316 are the left and right ends of the bottom plate. Section, respectively.

The rib 314 is formed of two walls that are formed in a curved surface and stand upright in the height direction from the bottom plate of the button case 310, and the respective concave surfaces of the ribs 314 face each other. By forming the rib 314 in such a shape, it is possible to improve the sectional modulus and the sectional secondary radius, and to secure high rigidity and strength against buckling. In the button unit 300, the movable member 320 is superposed on the button case 310, and the rib 314 is passed through a rib receiving hole 328 penetrating the bottom plate of the movable member 320. By arranging the rib 314 and the movable member 320 at such mutual positions, it becomes possible to displace the movable member 320, which is displaced when the effect switching button 45 is pressed, along the outer surface of the rib 314.

In the present embodiment, some distance is provided between the outer surface of the rib 314 and the movable member 320 in consideration of the operability of the effect switching button 45. For this reason, the movable member 320 may be slightly displaced in the width direction as well as in the height direction depending on how loose the button unit 300 is and how the effect switching button 45 is pushed. At this time, the movable member 320 contacts or collides with the rib 314 depending on the amount of displacement in the width direction, and the movable member 320 moves in the width direction from the inner surface of the movable member 320 (the side surface of the rib receiving hole 328) to the outer surface of the rib 314. Power will be added. Since the rib 314 has a high rigidity due to the shape in consideration of the sectional modulus as described above, even if the rib 314 receives a force in the width direction from the movable member 320 in this manner, there is no fear of damage.

FIG. 16 is a plan view showing the button case 310 alone.
When the button case 310 is viewed in a plan view, it can be seen that the two fixed columns 312, the ribs 314, and the two guide sleeves 316 are provided at positions symmetrical to each other on the bottom plate of the button case 310.

In the rib 314, two walls formed in the same U shape are arranged symmetrically with their open portions facing each other. Note that, in the present embodiment, due to space restrictions, a U-shape with a small depression is adopted in order to realize the rigidity required for the rib 314 in a more space-saving manner. However, if the rigidity of the rib 314 can be secured, this shape will be adopted. It is not limited to. For example, when there is a space in the position where the rib 314 is provided and interference does not occur between the rib 314 and other members arranged in the periphery, a U-shape is used instead of the U-shape. The two walls formed in a U shape may be arranged so that their respective open portions face each other.

[Photo sensor interference prevention structure with ribs]
FIG. 17 is a vertical cross-sectional view showing the periphery of the photosensor 330 in an enlarged manner (enlarged view in a frame surrounded by a chain line XVII in FIG. 11).

Spaces B1 and B2 are provided between the outer surface of the rib 314 and the inner surface of the movable member 320 that faces the outer surface of the rib 314. On the other hand, the intervals A1 and A2 are also provided between the light shield plate 324 forming a part of the movable member 320 and the photo sensor 330. In the button unit 300 shipped from the factory, the interval A1 and the interval A2 are the same size, and the intervals B1 and B2 are also the same size. For convenience of description, the size of the intervals A1 and A2 in this case is A, and the size of the intervals B1 and B2 is B. At this time, the interval A is set to be larger than the interval B. In other words, between the distance A (A1, A2) provided between the light shielding plate 324 and the photo sensor 330 and the distance B (B1, B2) provided between the rib 314 and the movable member 320, A The relation of >B is established.

Since the space is provided between the rib 314 and the movable member 320, the button unit 300 continues to accept the pushing operation by the player even if the production switching button 45 is continuously used and some rattling occurs. be able to. That is, in this case, the movable member 320 can be displaced not only in the height direction but also in the width direction at the same time. The maximum displacement amount of the movable member 320 in the width direction is B. For example, when the movable member 320 is displaced to the left by the amount of B, the inner surface of the movable member 320 contacts the outer surface of the rib 314 and cannot be displaced further to the left. At this time, the light blocking plate 324 is also displaced to the left by B due to the displacement of the movable member 320. However, since the distance A provided between the light blocking plate 324 and the photosensor 330 is larger than B, the light blocking plate 324 is No interference occurs with the photo sensor 330.

In this manner, the rib 314 is provided between the light blocking plate 324 and the photo sensor 330 between the rib 314 and the movable member 320, so that the rib 314 is provided on the movable member 320 when the effect switching button 45 is pressed. While properly guiding the displacement direction, a clearance can be always secured between the photo sensor 330 and the light shielding plate 324. Therefore, since the photo sensor 330 and the light shielding plate 324 do not interfere with each other due to the action of the rib 314, and the malfunction or failure of the photo sensor 330 due to the interference does not occur, the photo sensor 330, by extension, the button unit 300 and the pachinko machine 1 are prevented. It is possible to improve the durability and reliability of the.

[Waterproof structure for illuminated substrate]
FIG. 18 is a horizontal cross-sectional view (cross-sectional view taken along the cutting line XII-XII in FIG. 11) in the initial state of the button unit for explaining the waterproof structure of the decorative board.

Since the button unit 300 is installed on the front side of the pachinko machine 1, for example, drinking water swallowed by the player is spilled on the exposed part (the effect switching button 45 forming the upper part of the button cover 350) or the game. The liquid LQ may inevitably enter the inside of the button unit 300 due to the person's sweat being scattered. In this case, the liquid LQ first enters from above the button unit 300, passes between the outer surface of the button cover 350 and the inner surface of the button case 310, and then the outside of the movable member 320 connected to the lower end of the button cover 350. It passes between the side surface and the inner surface of the button case 310, and finally falls on the bottom plate of the button case 310. When the liquid LQ continues to enter the button unit 300, a water pool of the liquid LQ is formed on the bottom plate of the button case 310.

Since the board 340 controls the energization of the LED chip, the photosensor 330, etc., there is a possibility that the components mounted on the board 340 may cause a short circuit and malfunction if flooded. Therefore, it is necessary to surely prevent the substrate 340 from being flooded. In the present embodiment, the substrate 340 is disposed in the space sandwiched between the movable member 320 and the button cover 350, thereby preventing the substrate 340 from being flooded.

As shown in FIG. 18, since the lower end of the button cover 350 and the upper end of the movable member 320 are connected to each other without a gap, by arranging the button cover 350 at this position, it is possible to surely prevent the substrate 340 from being flooded from above. it can. Further, the water pool formed on the bottom plate of the button case 310 may vibrate with the game or the area may expand along the bottom plate, but the liquid LQ in the water pool jumps up in the height direction. Since it is unlikely that the impact will occur, it is possible to prevent water from entering the substrate 340 from below at the same time. The water pool formed on the bottom plate of the button case 310 naturally dries and disappears over time.

The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment and can be variously modified and implemented. The form of the effect described in the embodiment is an example, and is not limited to the above-described form of the effect.

For example, regarding the detection of the pressing operation on the effect switching button 45, the photo sensor 330 detects that the pressing operation is performed when the infrared light IR emitted from the light emitting section 322 is received by the light receiving section 334, and is emitted from the light emitting section 322. When the infrared IR is not received by the light receiving unit 334, it is detected that the pushing operation is released, but the invention is not limited to this. For example, the positions of the photo sensor 330 and the light shielding plate 324 in the vertical direction are reversed, and the determination in the detection is also opposite to the above-described mode, that is, the infrared ray IR emitted from the light emitting section 322 is not received by the light receiving section 334. In this case, the push-in operation may be detected, and when the infrared ray IR emitted from the light emitting unit 322 is received by the light receiving unit 334, the push-in operation may be released.

In addition, as a structure for preventing water from entering the substrate 340, the liquid LQ that has entered from above the button unit 300 is received by the button case 310 and forms a puddle on the bottom surface thereof, but a drain hole that penetrates the bottom plate of the button case 310 is used. It is also possible to apply a structure in which the liquid LQ received by the button case 310 is drained through the drain hole.

Other than that, the structure and board configuration of the pachinko machine 1 are preferable examples including those shown in the drawings, and it goes without saying that these can be appropriately modified.

1 Pachinko machine 8 game board unit 8a game area 20 start gate 28 variable start winning device 33 normal symbol display device 33a normal symbol working memory lamp 34 first special symbol display device 35 second special symbol display device 34a first special symbol working memory Lamp 35a Second special symbol working memory lamp 42 Liquid crystal display 45 Production switching button (operation member)
70 main control device 72 main control CPU
124 Production control device 126 Production control CPU
300 button unit 310 button case (case body)
314 rib (guide mechanism)
316 Guide sleeve (support mechanism)
317 Auxiliary sleeve (support mechanism)
326 Movable column (support mechanism)
327 Compression coil spring (support mechanism)
320 Movable member (guide mechanism)
324 Light-shielding plate (light-shielding member)
330 Photo sensor 340 Illuminated board 350 Button cover (operation member)

Claims (1)

A case body that can be installed in the main body of the gaming machine,
An operation member housed in the case body, which is displaced relative to the case body in response to an operation from the outside,
A photo sensor provided in the case body without being affected by the displacement of the operation member,
A light blocking member that is displaced between a position on the optical axis of the photosensor and a position off the optical axis with the displacement of the operation member;
The movable member includes a movable member that is displaced relative to the case body integrally with the light shielding member in association with the displacement of the operation member, and a guide member that guides the displacement of the movable member. and a guide mechanism to ensure the clearance between the displacement and the photosensor while guiding said shielding member,
The guide mechanism is
The movable member has a rib that extends inside the case body in the displacement direction of the operation member and is formed in a shape surrounding at least a portion around an axis line along the displacement direction, and the movable member is A gaming machine , wherein the gaming machine is connected integrally with the operating member in a state of being housed in the case body, and can be displaced by being guided to an outer side surface of the rib as the operating member is displaced .