JPH0335355Y2 - - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention relates to a ball detector for a pachinko machine that uses a transmission type optical sensor.

(Prior Art and its Problems) Generally, pachinko machines use a large number of ball detectors consisting of microswitches to detect and count winning balls, hit balls, supply balls, etc.

However, since the microswitch is a contact device, in ball detectors of pachinko machines that operate frequently, the contact surface becomes dirty or damaged, which can easily cause malfunctions.

On the other hand, since a photoelectric detector (optical sensor) is a non-contact switch, there is no such inconvenience. However, in the case of optical sensors in pachinko parlors, there is a major problem in that cigarette smoke and other dust adheres to the light emitting and receiving surfaces due to static electricity dust collection, reducing light transmission and detection accuracy. There is. Normal dirt caused by passing balls can be cleaned by applying lens cleaner or the like to a soft cloth, but dirt from cigarette tar, etc. that fills pachinko parlors, is difficult to remove.

Therefore, there were cases where the entire sensor had to be replaced periodically.

There are two types of optical sensors: a reflective type and a transmissive type, but in the case of the former reflective type, the position where the pachinko ball passes is uncertain, and the spherical surface is engraved with the name of the pachinko parlor. For some reason, the direction of the reflected light is not constant, so it is unsuitable for use as a ball detector for pachinko machines.

Therefore, a transmission type optical sensor is advantageous, but there is a problem in that dust, cigarette tar, etc. adhere to the above-mentioned light emitting/receiving surface, which causes light to be diffused and the detection ability to deteriorate.

The present invention was made with the aim of solving this problem.

(Means for Solving the Problem) In order to solve this problem, the present invention provides a transmissive optical sensor with opposing side walls 12A,
A holder 10 is provided with a ball passage 11 through which approximately one pachinko ball passes by a holder 12B, a light emitting window 14 is provided in one side wall 12A of the holder 10, and a light emitting window 14 is provided behind the light emitting window 12. A light receiving window 15 is provided in the other side wall 12B of the light emitting element 2,
A light-receiving element 3 for detecting light from the light-emitting element 2 is placed opposite to the rear of the light-receiving window part 15, and the light-emitting element 3 is located in the light-emitting window part 14 and the light-receiving window part 15 of the side walls 12A and 12B. a light-transmissive transparent member 2 that covers the light-emitting surface of 2 and the light-receiving surface of the light-receiving element 3;
At least the transparent member 20 on the side of the light receiving element 3 is formed with a light guide part 24 bulging toward the side of the light receiving element 3, and the transparent member 20 in the arranged state is a holder. It is configured to become a part of the side walls 12A, 12B forming ten ball passages 11.

(Function) Light from the light emitting elements is transmitted through each transparent member and detected by the light receiving element.

After long-term use, the surface of each transparent member becomes dirty with scale, dust, and cigarette tar.

However, the light guiding portion of the transparent member on the side of the light receiving element collects the weak light provided from the light emitting element, increases the density, and improves the detection accuracy.

(Example) Hereinafter, the present invention will be explained based on the illustrated example.

In Fig. 1 and Fig. 2, the ball detector 1 of the present invention is shown.
is a transmission type optical sensor, and approximately 1 pachinko ball
A holder 10 having opposing side walls 12A and 12B forming a ball passage 11 through which individual balls pass, and a light emitting element 2 and a light receiving element disposed so as to face the side walls 12A and 12B of the holder 10. 3
and a transparent member 20 having light transmittance disposed on the inner surfaces of the side walls 12A and 12B, that is, the surface on the ball passage 11 side, in order to cover the light emitting surface of the light emitting element 2 and the light receiving surface of the light receiving element 3 from the outside. Consists of.

The holder 10 is U-shaped in this embodiment, and therefore has two side walls 12A and 12B extending in parallel from both ends of the base wall 12C (U-shaped connecting portion).
has.

These walls 12A, 12B connected in a U-shape,
A band-shaped recess 13 is formed on the inner surface of 12C in the circumferential direction of the ball passage 11.

In the area where this recess 13 is formed, a light emitting element 2 and a light receiving element 3 are buried in opposing positions in both side walls 12A and 12B with the ball passage 11 in between so as to face each other. It has been done.

In order to form a light passage on a straight line connecting the light emitting and receiving surfaces, a small hole 14 as a light emitting window and a small hole 15 as a light receiving window are provided from the inside of both side walls 12A and 12B to the inner surface. has been established.

In this way, the small holes 14 and 1 as light emitting and receiving windows are arranged.
5 are provided, and the light emitting/receiving elements 2,
3, it is possible to eliminate the influence of external light.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the light passage path connecting the light emitting element 2 and the light receiving element 3, that is, the light detection position does not pass through the center of the passing sphere in a plane orthogonal to the direction of passage of the sphere. It is located at a point that is slightly shifted by a distance d from the center.

This means that if the light detection position coincides with the center of the passing ball 4, and the balls pass over each other in contact with each other, even if one ball has passed the light detection position, the next ball will not pass. This is because the light-blocking state continues due to the sphere, and only the detection signal for one sphere can be output.

That is, by slightly shifting the positions of the light emitting and receiving elements 2 and 3 from the center of the passing sphere 4 and placing the light detection position in the gap between the sides of the overlapping spheres, the individual spheres can be reliably separated. It can be detected by

In order to shield the light emitting/receiving elements 2 and 3 from external light, the entire holder 10 is made of dark black synthetic resin and has a matte surface.

Note that the symbols 5 and 6 in FIG. 1 indicate the light emitting and receiving elements 2 and 3.
This lead wire is drawn out from the outer surface of the base wall 12C.

The transparent member 20 is made of a light-transmissive material such as a thin synthetic resin plate that is transparent or semi-transparent or has appropriate filtering properties, such as the property of cutting off visible light, and fits exactly within the recess 13 of the holder 10. Furthermore, in order to easily attach and detach the transparent member 20 to the recess 13, a portion of the transparent member 20 is given flexibility to have a smaller diameter than the passageway of the holder 10.

In this embodiment, two arms 21A and 21B extending in a U-shape from a base 21C are designed to elastically bend inward toward each other.

In order to improve the flexibility of the arms 21A, 21B, the arms 21A, 21B of the transparent member 20 are
As shown in FIG. 3, it is preferable that the bent portion 22 relative to the base portion 21C be multi-staged.

Engagement protrusions 23 are provided on the outer surfaces of the open ends of the arms 21A, 21B, and the side walls 1 of the holder 10
It is possible to fit and lock into an engagement hole 16 provided on the inner surface near the open end of 2A, 12B.

This serves to prevent the transparent member 20 from detaching from the holder 10.

Incidentally, the engagement protrusion 23 also functions as a rib that reinforces the arms 21A, 21B.

The engagement hole 16 may be formed as a simple recess, but is preferably formed as a through hole extending from the inner surface to the outer surface of the side walls 12A, 12B, so that when the transparent member 20 is removed from the holder 10, When bending the arms 21A and 21B of 20 inward to a removable position, it is preferable to insert a tool such as a tool from the outside surface side so that the tips of the engagement protrusions 23 can be bent from the outside.

Furthermore, the outer surfaces of the arms 21A and 21B of the transparent member 20 are formed with bulges so as to fit into the small holes 14 and 15 as light emitting and receiving windows provided as light passages in the side walls 12A and 12B of the holder 10. A projection 24 is formed.

This protrusion 24 is formed integrally with the transparent member 20, and therefore functions as a light guiding portion that guides light to the light emitting and receiving elements 2 and 3.

The end of this protrusion, that is, the light guiding portion 24, is not only a flat surface, but also has a convex or concave surface on the light emitting side and/or the light receiving side, as shown in FIG. It is best to form it into a lens shape.

By providing the transparent member 20 in front of the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting element 2 and the light-receiving surface of the light-receiving element 3 as described above, it is possible to prevent dust from directly adhering to the light-emitting and receiving surfaces due to the dust collection phenomenon of static electricity. In addition, even if the transparent member 20 becomes dirty and the transmitted light is diffused to some extent, the light is focused by the function of the light guide section 24, so that the detection accuracy of the sphere detector 1 is prevented from decreasing. This can be suppressed for a long period of time, and the life of the ball detector 1 can be extended.

Moreover, even if the detection accuracy drops significantly and becomes unusable, the ball detector 1 itself can be used continuously for a long period of time by replacing only the transparent member 20. .

When replacing the transparent member 20 in the holder 10 from front to back (left and right in FIG. 1), it is preferable to provide two protrusions or light guiding parts 24 at symmetrical positions so that the transparent member 20 can be replaced correctly in one operation.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 4 above, the holder 1
0 and the transparent member 20 are U-shaped, but C-shaped,
It can also be hollow cylindrical.

When the holder 10 has a hollow cylindrical shape, the transparent member 20 may be a C-shaped member or a curled member whose starting end and terminal end are partially overlapped.

In either case, the transparent member 20 is attached to the holder 1.
When the ball is disposed at 0, it is configured to become a part of the side walls 12A, 12B forming the ball passage path 11 of the holder 10.

In the above embodiment, it is formed over almost the entire inner surface of the side walls 12A, 12B, but it may be formed on a part thereof.

In some cases, it is preferable that it be flush with the inner surface of the side walls 12A, 12B, but it may be in a state that it slightly protrudes from the inner surface.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an example in which the ball detector 1 is applied to a so-called chatter of a pachinko machine.

This chucker has a detector holding member 31 in which a U-shaped vertical groove 32 for receiving a batted ball is formed, and a front decorative plate 38 provided on the front surface of the detector holding member 31.

Reference numeral 33 in the figure indicates an outward mounting flange provided on the edge of the rear surface of the detector holding member 31.

On the side surface of the vertical groove 32 of the detector holding member 31, an insertion receptacle is formed to allow the ball detector 1, that is, the holder 10 with the transparent member 20 attached thereto, to be inserted and held at right angles to the vertical groove 32 from the lateral direction. , guide groove 3
4 is provided.

The shape and dimensions of this guide groove or receiver 34 are determined so that when the holder 10 is inserted, the inner surface of the holder 10 exactly matches the inner surface of the longitudinal groove 32 of the detector holding member 31, forming a continuous spherical passage. There is.

A portion 34' of the receiver 34 extends from the rear surface of the outward flange 33, and a lower surface 34' of the receiver 34 extends from the rear surface of the outward flange 33.
A tongue 35 protrudes at the same height position as 4A. The extending portion 34' and the tongue 35 of this receiver 34 function as a guide when inserting the holder 10 into the insertion receiver 34, and the extending portion 34' of the receiver 34 serves as a guide when inserting the holder 10 into the insertion receiver 34.
It can also be used as an elastic clamping piece that clamps both sides of the tongue 3.
5 functions as a mounting table that supports the lower part of the ball detector 1.

A protrusion 36 provided at the rear end of the tongue 35 is connected to the ball detector 1.
This is a positioning stopper that regulates the depth of insertion into the receiver 34, but the ball detector 1 is used instead of the stopper.
The holder 10 can also be positioned by adjusting the lengths of the side walls 12A, 12B.

Further, reference numeral 37 in the figure indicates a ball guide provided at the bottom of the U-shaped vertical groove 32 in order to lead out the balls that have fallen within the vertical groove 32 to the rear side of the game board 7 (Fig. 6). It's a piece.

7 to 9 show specific examples of attachment means for attaching the ball detector 1 to the game board 7 and other parts, such as a ball passage formed between the back of the game board 7 and the collecting gutter. Suitable for installation in

FIG. 7 shows how the holder 10 is further attached to the mounting case 40.
An example is shown in which the mounting case 40 is used.

The mounting case 40 is formed to be able to insert and store the holder 20, and has two arms 41A and 41B extending in a U-shape from a base 41C, and outward flanges 42 provided at the tips of both arms. A hole 43 provided in the flange 42 is a mounting hole for screwing the mounting case 40 in which the holder 10 is set to a game board or the like.

Groove-type recesses 44 are formed on the inner surfaces of the arms 41A and 41B of the mounting case 40, and protrusions 17 that fit into the recesses 44 are provided on the outer surfaces of the side walls 12A and 12B of the holder 10. . or,
The base 41C of the mounting case 40 is provided with through holes 45 and 46 for taking the lead wires 5 and 6 of the ball detector 1 out of the mounting case 40, and in the area between the through holes 45 and 46. , poke the inserted holder 10 from the outside of the base 41C and attach the mounting case 4.
A protruding hole 47 is provided to allow the 0 to come out.

FIG. 8 shows an example in which an outward flange 18 is provided on the holder 10 itself (in this example, at the tips of the side walls 12A, 12B). 18A is a mounting hole provided in the flange 18.

In FIG. 9, a long plate-shaped mounting plate 50 is attached so as to span between the tips of the side walls 12A, 12B of the holder 10, and
This is an example in which the ball detector 1 is mounted using both end portions of the mounting plate 50 that protrude outside B.

The mounting plate 50 is attached to the side wall 12 of the holder 10.
Holder 10 to be attached to the tip of A, 12B.
A groove-type recess 1 is provided at the tip of the side walls 12A, 12B.
9 is provided in a direction perpendicular to the passing direction of the ball. Further, in the central region of one side of the mounting plate 50, a convex portion 51 that fits into the concave portion 19 is provided.

When inserting the mounting plate 50 into the recess 19 of the holder 10, the side wall 12A of the holder 10,
Attachment plate 50 to approximately the same extent outward of 12B.
In order to position the mounting plate 50 so that both ends protrude, a positioning stopper 5 is provided on the surface of the mounting plate 50.
2 is protruding.

Reference numerals 53 and 53 indicate mounting holes drilled in the mounting plate 50, which are provided at both ends of the mounting plate 50 that protrude from the side walls 12A and 12B of the holder 10 when inserted into the holder 10. .

(Effect of the invention) According to the invention, a removable transparent member is provided in front of the light emitting surface of the light emitting element and the light receiving surface of the light receiving element,
In addition, since a light guide portion bulging toward the light receiving element is formed in the passage of the transmitted light on the light receiving element side,
It is possible to prevent dust, cigarette tar, etc. from directly adhering to the light emitting/receiving surface due to the phenomenon of electrostatic dust collection.

In addition, even if the surface of the transparent member becomes dirty after long-term use and the transmitted light is diffused to some extent, the light is focused by the function of the light guide, which prevents the detection accuracy of the sphere detector from deteriorating. This can be suppressed for a long period of time, extending the life of the ball detector.

Furthermore, since the transparent member is configured to become a part of the side wall, there is less wear when a pachinko ball collides with it, and it is easy to wipe off dust. Even if the detection accuracy deteriorates significantly and becomes unusable, the ball detector 1 itself can be used continuously for a long period of time by replacing only the transparent member 20.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an example of the implementation of the present invention.
The figure is an exploded perspective view showing one embodiment of the ball detector for a pachinko machine of the present invention, Figure 2 is a sectional view of the ball detector with a transparent member attached, and Figure 3 is a diagram showing a modification of the transparent member. , FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a modified example of a protrusion of a transparent member that functions as a light guiding part, FIG. 5 is a developed perspective view showing an example in which the ball detector of the present invention is applied to a chatter of a pachinko machine, and FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing the state in which the player is attached to the game board, and FIGS. 7, 8, and 9 are views showing specific examples of the ball detector attachment means, respectively. 1... Ball detector, 2... Light emitting element, 3... Light receiving element, 4... Ball, 5, 6... Lead wire, 10...
Holder, 11... Ball passage, 12A, 12B...
Side wall, 12C... Base wall, 13... Hollow, 14
...Small hole (light emitting window), 15...Small hole (light receiving window), 19...Recess, 20...Transparent member, 21A,
21B...Arm, 21C...Base, 22...Bending portion, 23...Engagement protrusion, 24...Protrusion (light guiding portion), 30...Chicker, 42...Flange,
50...Mounting plate.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] In a transmission type optical sensor, a holder is provided with opposing side walls forming a ball path through which approximately one pachinko ball passes, a light emitting window is provided in one side wall of the holder, and a light emitting window is formed in the light emitting window. A light-emitting element is provided behind the light-emitting element, and a light-receiving window is provided in the other side wall, and a light-receiving element for detecting light from the light-emitting element is placed opposite to the rear of the light-receiving window. A light-transmitting transparent member that covers the light-emitting surface of the light-emitting element and the light-receiving surface of the light-receiving element is removably disposed in the light-emitting window section and the light-receiving window section, and at least the transparent member on the light-receiving element side has a light-receiving element. Ball detection for a pachinko machine, characterized in that a light guiding portion is formed that bulges out to the side, and the transparent member in the disposed state becomes a part of the side wall that forms a ball path of the holder. vessel.