JPH04241889A - Prize ball device of pinball machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To surely eliminate the static electricity generated at the time when a prize ball flows through each part of a discharge system. CONSTITUTION:In the prize ball device of the pinball machine provided with a means 21 for detecting a prize-winning ball, and a controller for controlling to drive discharge mechanisms 42a, 42b of a prize ball, based on a detection of the prize-winning ball, conductive plates 59a, 59b with which the prize ball comes into contact are provided on a passage of the prize ball, and these conductive plates 59a, 59b are connected to a ground of the controller through an attenuator. Static electricity is attenuated by the attenuator, and also, becomes a ground earth of a controller of a discharge system, therefore, even if the static electricity quantity generated due to a fact that a large quantity of prize balls are discharged continuously is large as in a recent pinball machine, the static electricity can be eliminated surely, and it can be prevented enough that a bad influence is exerted on a control system. Also, a special earth is not required, and even when a game board is replaced, it is unnecessary to execute the connection to a ground side over again.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prize ball device for a pachinko machine.

0002

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, many pachinko machines have variable winning devices that generate special games with high winning rates depending on the game conditions. This type of pachinko machine is
When a special game occurs, winning balls are generated one after another, and a large amount of prize balls are continuously discharged in response to the winning balls. However, as a device for processing winning balls and prize balls,
Conventionally, a mechanical type using a spherical sheath or the like has been used, but there is a limit to the speedup of processing with this. Therefore, in order to speed up such prize ball processing, the winning balls and prize balls are detected using an electric sensor, and a flow prevention member that can enter the prize ball discharge flow path is installed. It has been proposed to provide a stopper member and an electric drive means for the stopper member, and perform prize ball processing by moving the flow prevention member in and out based on detection by a sensor. With these electronically controlled ones, the speed of prize ball ejection is of course fast,
It has the advantage that it has a simpler structure than a mechanical type, and the number of balls awarded can be easily changed.

0003

[Problem to be solved by the invention] By the way, in the prize ball ejection system, when the prize balls flow through the various parts of the prize ball ejection system,
There is a concern that static electricity will be generated due to friction, and that static electricity will become noise and have an adverse effect on the control system. For this reason, by installing a metal plate in a part of the flow path of the prize ball discharge system and connecting this plate to the metal frame of the base of the pachinko machine, the static electricity charged by the prize balls is absorbed from the plate to the metal frame. There are some that allow spontaneous discharge. There are also devices that discharge static electricity by connecting the plate to the ground of the control device of the game board.

[0004] However, when it comes to spontaneous discharge, it is not possible to eject a large amount of prize balls in a short period of time as described above.
Since the amount of static electricity generated is large, the static electricity cannot be absorbed completely, and in this case, there is a drawback that it is necessary to provide earth grounding. If earth grounding is not provided, the sensor used for electronic control may be destroyed by static electricity, or the prize ball ejection may malfunction due to false detection, and it is also unavoidable that it will have a negative effect on the control system of the game board. . On the other hand, if a game board control device is used, each model has a different ability to absorb noise, so some models may not be able to fully absorb static electricity, which may adversely affect sensors and various controls. Another problem is that the plates must be connected every time the game board is replaced. This invention aims to solve these problems.

[0005]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The present invention provides a prize ball device for a pachinko machine that includes means for detecting winning balls and a control device that drives and controls a prize ball ejection mechanism based on the detection of winning balls. A conductive plate is provided in the ball flow path with which the prize ball contacts, and this conductive plate is connected to the ground of the control device via an attenuator.

[0006]

[Operation] Therefore, when the prize ball is flowing on the conductive plate, the static electricity charged on the prize ball is led from the conductive plate to the attenuator, and its energy is attenuated. It is discharged to the outside via its main power supply. As a result, static electricity can be reliably removed without the need for grounding or reconnecting the conductive plate each time the game board is replaced, and the effects of static electricity can be sufficiently prevented.

[0007]

Embodiments Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be explained based on the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, 1 is the game board of the pachinko machine, 2 is a base (also called a front frame) for mounting the game board 1 into the frame 3 from the front side, and 4 is a cover that covers the front of the game board 1. Glass 5 is a machine frame that supports the base 2. The game board 1 is attached to and detached from the frame 3 of the base 2 by locking members 6a and 6b, the cover glass 4 is attached to the base 2 via a glass frame 7 so as to be openable and closable, and the base 2 is attached to the machine frame 5 by a hinge 8.
It is rotatably assembled by a and 8b. 9a and 9b are locking hooks of the base 2. Various winning holes, out holes, and a large number of game nails are arranged in the game section on the surface of the game board 1, and on the back side of the game board 1, a gathering gutter 10 is formed to guide winning balls that have entered each winning hole. be done. A predetermined opening is formed in the rear part of the frame of the base 2 according to the structure of the back surface of the game board 1, and an opening/closing cover 11 that covers the back surface of the game board 1 is attached to the rear of the opening. A batted ball firing device 14 consisting of a ball supply mechanism, a firing rod 12, a motor 13, etc. is disposed at the lower left of the base 2 in the figure, and a winning ball processing device 15 is located at the lower part of the rear surface of the frame of the base 2, from the top to the right. A prize ball ejecting device 16 is disposed at the upper part and the lower part.

The winning ball processing device 15 processes the winning balls flowing down the collection gutter 10 on the back side of the game board 1.
The system consists of a guide gutter 17 connected to the collection gutter 10 in FIG. 3, a flow control gutter 18 following the guide gutter 17, and a flow control gutter 18.
It consists of a lead-out gutter 19 following the flow control gutter 18, and a winning ball detector (safe sensor) 21 installed in the flow regulating gutter 18. Guide gutter 1
7 is formed such that the upper opening shape is almost the same as the lower opening shape of the collecting gutter 10, and is connected to the collecting gutter 10 with the game board 1 attached to the frame 3 of the base 2, and the opening shown in the illustration is A bottom portion 23 that slopes gently down toward the center following the curved portion 22 on the left side, and a guide portion 24 that slopes gently down from the right side of the opening toward the center to form a predetermined step with respect to the bottom portion 23. and from the end of the guide part 24 to the bottom part 23
an alignment section 25 that aligns and passes pachinko balls toward the terminal end of the
A falling part 26 is provided perpendicularly to the end of the bottom part 23, through which pachinko balls can pass through one by one. The flow regulating gutter 18 includes a guide part 27 that is gently sloped downward to allow pachinko balls to pass through one by one following the falling part 26 of the guide gutter 17, and an inclination angle of about 45 degrees at the introduction part 28 at the end of the guide part 27. Next, it is formed of a flow regulating section 29 through which pachinko balls can pass one by one, and a dropping section 30 that continues perpendicularly to the flow regulating section 29 and drops the pachinko balls. The upper wall of the guiding part 27 is the introducing part 28 at the end.
The upper wall of the introduction section 28 is sloped upward so that the passage cross section becomes somewhat larger toward
It is formed to be tilted forward to the side, so that the pachinko balls entering the guiding part 27 smoothly flow into the flow regulating part 29 without clogging the balls in the introducing part 28. The flow regulating section 29 is formed in the shape of a straight path with a predetermined length, and the passage cross section of the flow regulating section 29 is formed into a square shape that is slightly larger than the diameter of the pachinko ball so that the pachinko ball passes through the center of the channel. Ru. The falling part 30 is formed to have a larger passage cross section than the flow regulating part 29 so that the pachinko balls from the flow regulating part 29 can fall quickly. The outlet gutter 19 has a sloped portion 3 that continues to the falling portion 30 of the flow control gutter 18.
1 and a downstream part 32, and the outlet of the downstream part 32 is connected to a recovery gutter (not shown) at the rear of the pachinko machine. The safe sensor 21 consists of a proximity switch having a detection port through which a pachinko ball passes, and is installed in a storage section 33 provided in the flow regulation section 29 with the detection port aligned with the passage of the flow regulation section 29 of the flow regulation gutter 18. . The safe sensor 21 outputs an on signal when the pachinko ball flowing down the flow regulating section 29 passes through the detection port.

The prize ball ejecting device 16 is for discharging the prize balls when the prize balls are entered into each prize opening of the game board 1, and as shown in FIG.
0, and a guide gutter 41 that guides the prize ball from the upper tank 40.
Following the guide gutter 41, there are prize ball ejection mechanisms 42a and 42b on the right side of the frame of the base 2, a prize ball ejection gutter 43 following the ejection mechanisms 42a and 42b, and a prize ball ejection gutter 43 on the lower part of the frame of the base 2. A distribution gutter 44 and a ball extraction gutter 45 branching from the prize ball ejection gutter 43 are provided. Ejection mechanism 42a, 42
b consists of two systems, but only one system is shown in FIG. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, for the upper tank 40, the mounting boards 46a and 46b at the front end provided with positioning pins are inserted into the mounting grooves 48a and 48b formed in the frame 3 of the base 2, and the locking tools 49a and 49b are inserted. Mounting seats 50a, 50 in the intermediate portion provided
b to the mounting surface of the frame 3, and then attach the locking tools 49a, 49.
b into the locking holes 51a, 51b of the frame 3. At the lowest part of the sloping bottom wall of the upper tank 40 (on the left side in the figure), there is a drop part 5 that opens at the upstream part of the guide gutter 41.
2 is formed, and a step board 54 that operates a switch (replenishment sensor) 53 provided on the guide gutter 41 side is hung from the upper part of the tank 40 in the falling part 52 so as to be freely rotatable. When there are no more prize balls in the upper tank 40, the step board 54 springs up counterclockwise due to the action of a coil spring (not shown) and moves away from the replenishment sensor 53, and the replenishment sensor 53 outputs an on signal. Reference numeral 55 denotes a ball guide suspended toward the guide trough 41.

The guide gutter 41 is shown in FIGS. 5 to 8 (A) and (B).
The mounting board 56 is formed with a gentle downward slope from the upstream part to the downstream part (right side of the figure), and the gutter wall in the upstream part has a predetermined height that surrounds the falling part 52 of the upper tank 40 with the mounting board 56. The guide gutter 41 is formed from the middle of the guide gutter 41 in the center of the guide gutter 41.
A dividing wall 58 is provided that forms two parallel passages 57a and 57b on the back side and the front side. The diversion wall 58 rises diagonally from a position corresponding to the opening edge on the opposite side of the footboard 54 of the falling part 52 of the upper tank 40 to a height equal to or greater than the diameter of the pachinko ball, and is lowered in height according to the gutter wall. It is formed so that the height at the downstream part is less than half the diameter of the pachinko ball. Since the diversion wall 58 is raised below the opening edge of the falling part 52 of the upper tank 40, the flow of pachinko balls from the upper tank 40 into the guide gutter 41 becomes smooth, and the diversion wall 58 becomes higher as it goes downstream. Since the height is gradually lowered to less than half the diameter of the pachinko ball, the pachinko balls do not spill out on the way and are properly separated into the two passages 57a and 57b.
rectified. Conductive plates 59a and 59b made of metal plates are affixed or integrally attached to the bottom surfaces of the two passages 57a and 57b of the guide gutter 41, which are in contact with pachinko balls, respectively. Although the conductive plates 59a, 59b are provided over almost the entire length of the passages 57a, 57b in the figure, they may be provided in a predetermined section in the middle of the passages 57a, 57b. The conductive plates 59a and 59b are electrically connected, and a terminal portion 60 that penetrates the bottom surface of the passage is formed on the back surface of at least one of the plates. And the terminal part 6
Wiring member 62 with an attenuator 61 such as a resistor provided on the way to 0
are fitted and connected, and the conductive plates 59a and 59b are connected to the case 2 of the control device 200, which will be described later, via the wiring member 62.
16.

At the downstream side of the guide gutter 41, there is a ball stopper device 63 which also serves as a ball holder, and a switch for detecting a half-end ball (
A half-end sensor) 64 is provided. In the ball stopper device 63, a curved plate 65 whose tip side is curved is rotatably attached to a support shaft 66 built over the passages 57a and 57b, and normally the protrusion 67 on the side of the curved plate 65 and the gutter wall are attached to each other. Spring 68 stretched between
As shown in FIG. 8(A), the curved plate 65 is held in a ball-closing position where the tip side is curved up and covers the passages 57a and 57b, thereby preventing the pachinko balls from overlapping in the passages 57a and 57b. flow down smoothly. Also,
When the tip side is manually lifted to make the curved plate 65 stand up as shown in FIG.
The ball is held at a ball stopping position where it enters the inside of the hole and prevents the pachinko balls from flowing down, thereby making it possible to cut off the pachinko balls and facilitate work during maintenance and inspection of the prize ball ejecting device or in the event of a failure. The half-end sensor 64 is arranged opposite to a lever 70 that responds to the footboards 69a, 69b having weights disposed at the bottoms of the passages 57a, 57b.
is disposed so as to be freely tiltable directly downstream of the curved plate 65 when the ball stopper device 63 is in an upright state. The pachinko balls are on the treadles 69a, 69
b, the tread plates 69a, 69b are continuous with the passages 57a, 57b as shown in FIG. 8(A), the lever 70 is balanced, and the half-end sensor 64 outputs an off signal;
As shown in B), the footboards 69a and 69b are tilted by the weight, the rear part of the lever 70 pushes the half-end sensor 64, and the half-end sensor 64 outputs an ON signal. Passage 5 of guide gutter 41
7a, 57b are inflow gutter 71 of discharge mechanism 42a, 42b
The gutter wall at the downstream end is cut diagonally rearward at the top so that the gutter wall at the downstream end is cut out diagonally to the rear in order to smoothly connect to the gutter walls 71a and 71b at the inflow end. protrudes diagonally.

The ejection mechanisms 42a and 42b are shown in FIGS. 9 to 12.
Two systems are provided in parallel in the unit case 75 attached to the frame 3 of the base 2 as shown in FIG.
, 57b, and the inflow gutter 7.
Flow control gutter 72a, 72b following flow control gutter 1a, 71b, and flow control gutter 7
Ejection stopper mechanisms 73a, 73 installed at 2a, 72b
b and discharge bulb detectors (discharge sensors) 74a, 74b
It consists of In addition, the inflow gutter 71a and the flow regulating gutter 72a
, the discharge stopper mechanism 73a, and the discharge sensor 74a are not shown. The unit case 75 consists of a central base frame 76, a back cover 77 on the frame 3 side, and a front cover 78, and the inflow gutter 71a and the flow regulating gutter 72a are integrally formed on the back side of the central base frame 76 where the back cover 77 is joined. formed, an inflow gutter 71b,
The flow regulating gutter 72b is integrally formed on the front surface side of the central base frame 76 where the front cover 78 is joined. Ejection stopper mechanism 73a
, the discharge sensor 74a is arranged on the back side of the central base frame 76, and the discharge stopper mechanism 73b and the discharge sensor 74b are arranged on the front side of the central base frame 76.

The inflow troughs 71a and 71b have a sloped part 79 which is gently sloped downward from the inflow part to the right side in the figure following the passages 57a and 57b of the guide trough 41, and a sloped part 79 which is continued from the downstream end of the sloped part 79 and which is approximately in the direction of the passage. a first bent portion 80 that is reversed by 180 degrees;
It is formed of a sloped part 81 that slopes gently downward to the left side in the figure following the first bent part 80, and a second bent part 82 that reverses the passage direction by approximately 180 degrees following the downstream end of the sloped part 81. The first bending part 80 and the second bending part 82 reduce the falling speed of pachinko balls from the inclined parts 79 and 80, respectively, and discharge stopper mechanisms 73a and 7, which will be described later,
3b reduces the ball pressure from the guide gutter 41 side. The flow control gutter 72a, 72b has a vertical portion 83 that changes the passage direction by approximately 90 degrees following the second bending portion 82 and goes vertically downward, and a guide portion 84 that continues to the side of the terminal end of the vertical portion 83.
It is formed of a flow regulating section 85 that follows the guiding section 84 at an inclination angle of approximately 45 degrees, and a falling section 86 that continues perpendicularly to the flow regulating section 85. A bottom wall 87 at the end of the vertical portion 83 is formed to slope gently downward toward the guiding portion 84 side, and a wall surface 88 on the side opposite to the guiding portion 84 of the vertical portion 83 is formed to protrude somewhat toward the guiding portion 84 side. . As a result, the center of the pachinko ball riding on the bottom wall 87 of the vertical part 83 is located closer to the guide part 84 than the center of the following pachinko ball, and the pachinko balls in the vertical part 83 are located at the end part. The balls flow into the guide portion 84 without causing any clogging. The upper wall 89 of the guide part 84 is formed to be inclined at approximately 45 degrees, and the guide part 84 prevents the pachinko balls from going higher than the pachinko balls on the bottom wall 87 of the following vertical part 83, and Pachinko balls flowing into the guide part 84 while changing direction at the bottom wall 87 of the part 83 hit the upper wall 89 inclined at approximately 45 degrees, so that the guide part 84 causes the pachinko balls to flow down at regular intervals and Controls the velocity of the ball. As a result, the guiding portion 84 is moved from the vertical portion 83.
The pachinko balls that have entered flow down the guide section 84 at a predetermined speed and interval, and smoothly flow into the flow regulating section 85. In addition, by connecting the guiding part 84 to the side of the vertical part 83, the ball pressure on the flow regulating part 85 side is reduced when the discharge stopper mechanisms 73a and 73b, which will be described later, prevent the flow from flowing down. Flow regulating section 85
is formed in a straight path shape with a predetermined length (the length of two pachinko balls), and the falling part 86 is formed in a passage cross section larger than the flow regulating part 85 so that the pachinko balls from the flow regulating part 85 can fall quickly. be done.

[0014] Then, on the partition wall between the parallel discharge passages, that is, from the inflow part of the inflow troughs 71a and 71b, there is a sloped part 79, a first
Bent part 80, inclined part 81, second bent part 82, vertical part 83 of flow regulating gutter 72a, 72b, guiding part 84, flow regulating part 85
As shown in FIG. 13, protrusions 90a and 90b are provided in the form of bands on both the front and back passage side walls of the central base frame 76. The protrusions 90a and 90b are connected to the passages 57a and 57b of the guide gutter 41.
When the pachinko balls flowing in from the center flow down the respective discharge channels, the pachinko balls are gradually displaced from the center base frame 76 side to the covers 77 and 78, and both of the installation parts of discharge sensors 74a and 74b, which will be described later, are This is to widen the gap between the discharge passages by a predetermined amount, and the inflow ends of the inflow troughs 71a and 71b are continuous with the dividing wall 58 of the guiding trough 41, that is, the thickness is equal to the thickness of the dividing wall 58 of the guiding trough 41. It gradually rises from the inflow part to the downstream of the slope part 79, reaches a predetermined height at the end of the slope part 79, and then remains at that predetermined height until the flow adjustment part 85 of the flow regulation troughs 72a, 72b is formed. Ru. However, the protrusions 90a, 90b are the discharge sensors 74a, 74.
A notch is formed at the installation portion b by the thickness of the sensors 74a and 74b. Further, the passage side walls of the back cover 77 and the front cover 78 are connected to the inflow gutter 71a, which is continuous with the gutter wall of the guide gutter 41, and
It is formed so as to gradually retreat from the inflow portion of 71b in accordance with the protrusions 90a, 90b, and is formed in a plane parallel to the protrusions 90a, 90b. As a result, the discharge sensor 74a,
While the distance between the two discharge passages of the installation part 74b is widened, the pachinko balls aligned in both the passages 57a and 57b of the guide gutter 41 are able to flow through both passages 57 without becoming loose or clogging the balls.
A, 57b smoothly flow into the inflow gutter 71a, 71b, respectively, and the inflow gutter 71a, 71b, the flow regulation gutter 7, the interval gradually increases along the projections 90a, 90b, respectively.
2a and 72b smoothly. Note that the protrusion 90
a, 90b are the first bent portion 80, inclined portion 81, and second bent portion 82 of the inflow gutter 71a, 71b, and the flow regulating gutter 72a, 72.
The b side may be gradually raised.

[0015] The discharge stopper mechanisms 73a, 73b are connected to the flow regulating section 85 from the upper side of the regulating section 85 of the flow regulating gutter 72a, 72b.
Locking claws 91a and 91b that enter into the interior and prevent the pachinko balls from falling, and a solenoid (discharge solenoid) 92a that serves as a driving means for the locking claws 91a and 91b, respectively.
, 92b are provided. The locking claws 91a and 91b are fan-shaped members, and are attached to the central base frame 76 on the downstream side of the flow regulating section 85.
The fan-shaped outer periphery serving as a ball blocking portion is formed so as to coincide with the swing locus, and a discharge solenoid 92a is connected to the central portion via a link 94.
, 92b are connected by pins. A slit is provided in the side wall of the flow regulating section 85 corresponding to the locking claws 91a, 91b, so that when the locking claws 91a, 91b have entered the flow regulating section 85, the fluid is prevented from flowing down into the flow regulating section 85. The positions of the locking claws 91a, 91b and the slits are set so that the two pachinko balls are lined up. The discharge solenoids 92a and 92b are fitted into a fitting frame 95 provided on the central base frame 76 above the support shaft 93.
It is bolted to the fitting frame 95. Note that the support shaft 93 and the fitting frame 95 are of course provided on both sides of the central base frame 76. In the non-energized state of the discharge solenoids 92a and 92b, FIG.
As shown in (A), the ball blocking portions of the locking claws 91a, 91b are in a state where they have entered the flow regulating portion 85 by a predetermined amount, and in this state, the pachinko balls in the flow regulating portion 85 are held by the locking claws 91a, 91b. The ball is prevented from flowing down by the ball blocking part. Then, when the discharge solenoids 92a and 92b are energized from the non-energized state, FIG.
As shown in (B), when the link 94 is pulled, the locking claw 91a,
91b rotates upward and the ball blocking portions of the locking claws 91a and 91b retreat into the slits, so that the pachinko balls in the flow regulating section 85 are released from the locking claws 91a and 91b and fall into the falling section 8.
Fall to 6. And discharge solenoids 92a, 92b
When the current is cut off, the locking claws 91a, 91b return to their original positions as shown in FIG. 14(A) due to the biasing force of the return spring, and the ball blocking portion prevents the pachinko balls in the flow regulating portion 85 from flowing down. Ru. Since the locking claws 91a and 91b are supported on the spindle 93 to freely swing, and each ball blocking part is formed in a fan shape that matches the swing locus, each ball blocking part always moves in a tangential direction with respect to the pachinko ball. Therefore, when entering the flow regulating section 85, the pachinko ball inside the flow regulating section 85 is not bitten, and when retreating, there is no resistance due to the ball pressure of the pachinko ball that was preventing the ball from flowing down, and the ball is locked. The claws 91a, 91b operate smoothly according to whether the discharge solenoids 92a, 92b are turned on or off.

The discharge sensors 74a, 74b are composed of predetermined proximity switches having a structure surrounding a detection port 96 through which pachinko balls pass, and the locking claws 91a, 91b of the discharge stopper mechanisms 73a, 73b are connected to the flow regulating gutter 72a. , 72b enter the flow regulating section 85 of the flow regulating gutter 72a, 72b, at a position surrounding approximately the center of the second pachinko ball following the first one whose flow is blocked, respectively. Insert the sensor base 98 into the storage part 97 formed on the wall side, and insert the sensor tip part 100 into the recess 99 on the opposite side.
One side 102 of the detection port 96 is fitted into the notch 101 of the protrusions 90a, 90b on the side walls of the sensor, and the detection port 96 and the other side 104 of the sensor are fitted into the recesses 103 formed in the covers 77, 78. installed in parallel. Emission sensor 7
Four inner surfaces of the detection ports 96 of 4a and 74b (excluding corners)
Of these, the inner surface on the central base frame 76 side has protrusions 90a and 90b.
The inner surfaces of the other three sides are continuous with the bottom wall, top wall, and side walls of the covers 77 and 78 of the flow regulating section 85, respectively.
The pachinko ball flowing down passes through the detection port 96 smoothly. In order to detect successive pachinko balls, a discharge sensor 74 is provided around a detection port 96 in both discharge paths.
When disposing the discharge sensors 74a and 74b in parallel, a predetermined interval is required, but by widening the interval between the discharge passages via the projections 90a and 90b, the discharge sensors 74a and 74b can be disposed in parallel. Each discharge sensor 74a, 74b outputs an on signal when the pachinko ball is inside the detection port 96, including when the pachinko ball is passing through the detection port 96 of the sensor, and outputs an off signal when there is no pachinko ball.

In this way, the discharge sensors 74a and 74b are arranged in parallel in the parallel discharge passages, that is, in both flow regulating sections 85 of the flow regulating channels 72a and 72b following the inflow channels 71a and 71b.
Band-shaped protrusions 90a, 9 gradually rise on the partition wall between the inflow channels 71a, 71b and the discharge channels 72a, 72b.
0b, and the distance between the sensor installation parts, that is, the two flow regulation parts 85 is widened while gradually separating both discharge passages through these protrusions 90a and 90b. While allowing pachinko balls to flow down smoothly, discharge sensors 74a and 74b having a predetermined width can be easily arranged in parallel in both flow regulating sections 85. In addition, band-shaped protrusions 90a and 90b that gradually rise on the partition wall between the two discharge passages are provided.
By forming this, the interval between the sensor installation parts is widened, so there is no need to increase the thickness of the entire partition wall between the inflow gutter 71a, 71b and the flow regulating gutter 72a, 72b, and therefore manufacturing costs can be reduced. On the other hand, passages 57a and 57b of the guide gutter 41
At the inflow end portions of the inflow troughs 71a, 71b connected to the inlet troughs 71a, 71b, the band-shaped protrusions 90a, 90b are equally continuous with the dividing wall 58 of the guide trough 41, so that the passages 57a, 57b of the guide trough 41 are formed separately in two directions. It is not necessary, and therefore the guide gutter 41
The passage 57a of the guide gutter 41,
Since the pachinko balls from 57b smoothly flow into the inflow gutter 71a, 71b, it is possible to prevent the flow of pachinko balls from fluctuating when flowing in, and the guide gutter 41, the inflow gutter 71a, 71b, etc. from being partially worn out. can be prevented. In addition, since there is no need to widen the distance between the passages 57a and 57b of the guide gutter 41, the dividing wall 58 can be set to an appropriate thickness.
As a result, the pachinko balls are properly distributed and aligned in both passages 57a and 57b, and the inflow troughs 71a and 7 are aligned.
1b, it is possible to prevent balls from overlapping or clogging in the guide gutter 41.

To explain the movement of the ejection mechanisms 42a, 42b and the pachinko balls within the ejection mechanisms 42a, 42b, the locking claws 91a, 9 of the ejection stopper mechanisms 73a, 73b
1b enters the flow regulating portion 85 of the flow regulating gutter 72a, 72b and prevents the pachinko balls from flowing down, the locking claw 91
The flow regulating gutter 72a starts with the pachinko balls that come into contact with a and 91b.
, 72b and the inflow troughs 71a, 71b, the pachinko balls are lined up without gaps and are stationary. At this time, the ball pressure from the pachinko balls on the guide gutter 41 side is
It is reduced by the bent portion 80 and the second bent portion 82, and does not reach the flow regulating gutter 72a, 72b side. In addition, the ball pressure applied to the locking claws 91a, 91b of the discharge stopper mechanisms 73a, 73b is applied only to the pachinko balls in the flow regulating portions 85 and guiding portions 84 of the flow regulating troughs 72a, 72b. Then, the discharge solenoids 92a, 9 of the discharge stopper mechanisms 73a, 73b
2b is turned on and the locking claws 91a, 91b are retreated from the flow regulation section 85, the leading pachinko ball in the flow regulation section 85 and the pachinko balls in the flow regulation section 85 and guiding section 84 following the head are immediately released. Subsequently, the pachinko balls in the vertical section 83 flow into the guide section 84 and fall onto the upper wall 89 of the guide section 84.
falls within the guiding part 84 with the speed and interval adjusted by
It quickly flows down inside the flow regulating section 85. Furthermore, following this, the pachinko balls in the second bent part 82 of the inflow gutter 71a, 71b quickly flow into the vertical part 83, and the pachinko balls in the inclined part 81 enter the second bent part 82. The pachinko balls in the bent parts 80 quickly flow into the inclined parts 81, and the pachinko balls in the inclined parts 79 quickly flow into the first bent parts 80 while being displaced toward the covers 77 and 78. On this occasion,
Due to the retreat of the locking claws 91a and 91b, the leading pachinko ball and the pachinko ball in the flow regulating section 85 following the leading flow down inside the flow regulating section 85 while almost touching each other, and the pachinko balls from the guiding section 84 are tilted at approximately 45 degrees. Since the flow regulating section 85 continues at an angle of
Since the speed and interval are adjusted by the upper wall 89, the water flows down within the flow regulating section 85 at a predetermined distance. Further, since the ball pressure at each part such as the flow regulating part 85, the guiding part 84, the vertical part 83, the bent part 82, and the inclined part 81 is small, the pachinko balls flow down smoothly. Then, when the discharge solenoids 92a and 92b of the discharge stopper mechanisms 73a and 73b are turned off and the locking claws 91a and 91b enter the flow regulating section 85, the pachinko balls that are flowing down inside the flow regulating section 85 are caught in the locking claws. 9
1a and 91b and are prevented from flowing down, and subsequently, the pachinko balls in the flow regulating part 85, guiding part 84, vertical part 83, bent part 82, inclined part 81, bent part 80, and inclined part 79 also flow down. is prevented and returns to its original resting state. Locking claws 91a, 9
Since the ball blocking part 1b coincides with the swing locus, the impact force caused by the collision of the pachinko ball can be received by the support shaft 93, improving durability, and the ball blocking part is aligned tangentially with respect to the pachinko ball. Because of the movement, even if the locking claws 91a, 91b collide with a pachinko ball when entering the flow regulating portion 85, the locking claws 91a, 91b smoothly enter without biting the pachinko ball.

That is, the discharge mechanism 42a following the guide gutter 41,
Two bent portions 80, 8 are provided in the inflow gutter 71a, 71b of 42b.
2, a vertical portion 83 is provided following the bent portion 82, and the vertical portion 8
A guide part 84 is provided with a lower side wall 88 of the third part projecting out and an upper wall 89 inclined on the opposite side, and a discharge stopper mechanism 73a,
73b, the discharge solenoids 92a and 92b
When the discharge solenoids 92a, 92b are turned off, the ball pressure applied to the locking claws 91a, 91b, etc. can be reduced, and the pachinko balls can be prevented from flowing down properly. , reliability is greatly improved. Further, the ejection mechanisms 42a and 42b have a unit structure, and therefore, when each part breaks down, the whole unit can be easily replaced, so that troubles can be quickly dealt with. In addition, since each solenoid is arranged vertically, it is possible to prevent dirt from entering the interior and the rods from becoming unbalanced.

The prize ball discharge gutter 43 following the discharge mechanisms 42a, 42b consists of one system as shown in FIG.
an inflow part 105 connected to the base 2, and a discharge ball part 107 provided with a downflow gutter 106 connected to the pachinko ball supply tray on the front surface of the base 2.
Both falling portions 86 of flow regulating gutter 72a, 72b are formed from
The pachinko balls flowing in from the flow down gutter 1 while hitting the projecting wall etc.
06 and discharged to the supply tray. The distribution gutter 44 is connected to a tray at the lower front of the base 2, and when the supply tray is full of pachinko balls, the overflowing pachinko balls from the downflow gutter 106 are discharged to the tray. Further, the distribution gutter 44 includes a downstream gutter 106.
A detection piece 108 that also serves as a gutter wall and a detection piece 10 directly below the
Switch linked to 8 (overflow switch) 10
9 is provided, and when the inside of the distribution gutter 44 is filled with pachinko balls and the detection piece 108 is pushed by the pressing force, the overflow switch 109 outputs an on signal.

The ball extraction gutter 45 that branches from the middle of the prize ball ejection gutter 43 has a plate-shaped ball ejection gate 110 that rotates via a spindle 111 at the branching part as shown in FIGS. 15(A) and 15(B). A crank 112 freely disposed and fixed to a support shaft 111 outside the gutter wall is engaged with a lever 113, and a ball ejecting gate 110 is placed at the rear end of the lever 113 to the closed position of the ball ejecting gutter 45 (prize ball ejecting gutter). A spring 114 that biases the lever 113 (opened) is engaged, and a ball removal solenoid 116 that drives the ball removal gate 110 is connected to the lever 113 via a link 115 on the opposite side of the spring 114.
are concatenated. When the ball ejecting solenoid 116 is energized, the upward movement of the link 115 causes the ball ejecting gate 110 to open the ball ejecting gutter 45 against the spring 114 and to open the ball ejecting gutter 43.
When the ball removal solenoid 116 is turned off to the position where the ball removal gate 110 is closed, the spring 114 closes the ball removal gate 110.
is returned to the closed position of the ball removal gutter 45. A switch (ball removal sensor) for turning on and off the ball removal solenoid 116 is operated by inserting a tool such as a pin or wire through an operation hole formed on the front surface of the base plate 2 (not shown). Note that the downstream side of the ball extraction gutter 45 is merged with an out ball lead-out gutter 118 that guides out balls collected from the out port 117 (FIG. 3) of the game board 1, and is further connected to a collection gutter (not shown) at the rear of the pachinko machine. be done.

FIGS. 16, 17, and 18 show a control device 200 that controls the winning ball processing device 15, the winning ball discharging device 16, the batted ball launching device 14, and the like. The control device 200 consists of a CPU (microcomputer) 201 that includes ROM and RAM inside, an interface 202 that processes input and output of the CPU 201, input and output terminals 203 to 208, a timer transmission circuit 209, a power supply circuit 210, and the like.
Programs to be executed and various data are set in the ROM of the CPU 201, and the RAM of the CPU 201 provides a work area and a timer area for the CPU 201. Control device 200
Each input/output terminal 203 to 208 has a discharge mechanism 42a (
(discharge 1 side), discharge sensor 74a of 42b (discharge 2 side),
74b (discharge sensors 1, 2), discharge solenoid 92a,
92b (discharge Sol1, 2), safe sensor 21 (safe sensor) of the prize ball processing device 15, ball extraction sensor of the prize ball discharge device 16, ball extraction solenoid 116 (ball extraction Sol
), each electrical device such as the firing motor 13, main power supply (24V)
In addition, a control device on the game board 1 side (not shown) is connected,
The control device 200 controls the ejection Sol 1 and 2, the ball extraction Sol, and the firing motor 13 based on the program data in the ROM, the respective sensors, and signals from the control device on the game board 1 side.
control etc. 211 is a reset switch of the control device 200. In addition, in the circuit, the prize ball supply sensor 53,
The half-end sensor 64 of the guide gutter 41, the overflow switch 109 (overflow SW) of the prize ball discharge gutter 43, etc. are not shown. The CPU 201 of the control device 200 includes
A nonvolatile EEPROM is provided that stores the number of times the safe sensor is turned on (number of winnings) and the number of inputs of a prize ball signal (described later) from the control device on the game board 1 side when the power is turned off.

The control device 200 also includes a monitor display unit 21 that monitors and displays the number of winning balls, the number of winnings stored in the safe sensor, the processing mode of the CPU 201, errors of each device, etc.
2 and remote control transmitter 213 (Fig. 19, Fig. 20, Fig. 21
) is equipped with a remote control receiver 214 for setting multiple prize ball numbers by remote control from the CP.
Connected to U201. The monitor display section 212 is shown in FIG.
, 7 segment display elements LCD-A, C, E, G, I, arranged on the case surface of the control device 200 as shown in FIG.
K, M, O and LCD-A, C, E, G, I, K, M,
A single display element LCD-B, D, F, arranged between
The number of prize balls set on the safe I side (described later) and the number of prize balls set on the safe I side (described later) are displayed in the two digits of LCD-A and C via the CPU 201 immediately after the power is turned on and when setting prize balls.
, The number of prize balls set on the Safe II side (described later) is displayed in the two digits of I, and LCD-D flashes when the prize ball on the Safe I side is set, and LCD-J flashes when the prize ball on the Safe II side is set. . In addition, the number of safe sensor winnings stored is displayed in three digits of LCD-E, G, and I during normal times. Furthermore, in order to make it possible to check the cause of the error when an error occurs, the processing mode of the CPU 201 is displayed on the LCD-M as a predetermined number, and the processing mode of the CPU 201 is displayed on the LCD-O as a predetermined number. If so, the error state is displayed with a predetermined number, and the LCD-N blinks at the time of this error.

The remote control receiver 214 transmits the optical signal (infrared rays, etc.) emitted from the remote control transmitter 213 to the receiving section 21.
5, it is converted into a predetermined electrical signal and sent to the CPU.
Send to 201. The remote control transmitter 213 is portable, and has a safe 1 key 216 that calls the prize ball setting mode on the safe I side and a safe I key as shown in FIGS. 19, 20, and 21.
Safe 2 key 217 to call the prize ball setting mode on the I side, +1 key 218 to increase the number of prize balls by 1, -1 key 219 to decrease the number of prize balls by 1, passcode key 220, and setting the number of prize balls. It is equipped with a set key 221 that commands termination, and after the switch 222 is turned on, the passcode key 220 is pressed within a predetermined time.
If you enter the specified passcode via , you will be able to send. After entering the passcode, press the Safe 1 key 216 while pointing the transmitting part of the remote control transmitter 213 toward the remote control receiving part 215 to enable the CPU 201 to accept prize ball settings for the Safe I side, and then press the +1 key 218. , -1 key 2
By pressing 19 appropriately, the numerical value is incremented by 1, and as it is decremented, the numerical value (number of prize balls) is displayed arbitrarily on LCD-A, C of the monitor display section 212, and when the set key 221 is further pressed, the numerical value is displayed on LCD-A, C. The displayed value is determined as the number of prize balls on the safe I side, and is stored in a predetermined non-volatile EEPROM within the CPU 201. Similarly, if you press the Safe 2 key 217, the CPU 201 can accept the prize ball settings for the Safe II side, and then press the +1 key 218 and -1 key 219 as appropriate to increment the numerical value by 1, and monitor while incrementing. A numerical value (number of prize balls) is displayed arbitrarily on LCD-G, I of the display unit 212, and the set key 22
When you press 1, the numbers displayed on LCD-G,I are safe I.
This is determined as the number of prize balls on the I side, and stored in a predetermined non-volatile EEPROM within the CPU 201. However, CPU2
01 allows prize ball setting only when the remote control receiver 214 receives an ON signal from the safe 1 key 216 or the safe 2 key 217 of the remote control transmitter 213 within a predetermined time (for example, 30 seconds) immediately after the power is turned on. It is supposed to be done.

The control device 200 normally selects the number of prize balls on the Safe I side, and selects the number of prize balls on the Safe II side if the prize ball signal from the control device on the game board 1 side is stored. Select and control the number of prize balls emitted based on the number of prize balls (
(described later). Here, examples of the game board 1 are shown in FIGS. 23 to 25. This is a general prize opening 301, 3 in the gaming section 300.
02a, 302b, 303a, 303b, specific winning opening 3
04, 305a, 305b, movable member 306a in the center,
It is equipped with a variable prize winning device 307 having 306b,
The number of prize balls for winning batted balls is different between the specific winning holes 304, 305a, 305b, the general winning holes 301, 302a, 302b, 303a, 303b, and the variable winning device 307. Specific winning openings 304, 305a, 30
5b are start switches 308, 309 that detect winning balls.
a, 309b are arranged. In the variable winning device 307, a special winning hole 310 and general winning holes 311a and 311b are formed on the left and right sides of the special winning hole 310, and a cycle switch 312 for detecting winning balls is installed in the special winning hole 310 downstream of these. are special prize opening 310 and general prize opening 311
Count switch 3 that detects all passing balls of a and 311b
13 are placed.

When a ball is fired into the gaming section 300 and a prize is won in the specific prize winning slot 304, 305a, 305b, a control device (not shown) controls the movable member of the variable prize winning device 307 in response to turning on of the start switch 308, 309a, 309b. 30
6a and 306b are driven once or twice to convert from a first state in which they do not accept a batted ball to a second state in which they easily accept a batted ball. At this time, when another hit ball enters the variable winning device 307 and further enters the special winning hole 310 in the variable winning device 307, the cycle switch 312 is turned on and a jackpot game occurs. When a jackpot game occurs, the movable members 306a and 306b of the variable winning device 307 are driven to convert from the first state to the second state many times, and this is repeated as the cycle continues, so a large number of batted balls win variable prizes. The prize will be entered in the device 307. Each cycle ends when the movable members 306a and 306b are driven to convert 18 times or when the downstream count switch 313 in the variable prize winning device 307 counts 10 passing balls. In addition, if the batted ball does not enter the special winning hole 310 in the variable winning device 307 during the cycle, the cycle switch 3
12, the jackpot game ends at the end of the cycle. General prize opening 301, 302a, 302b,
303a, 303b, specific winning opening 304, 305a, 3
05b and the winning balls of the variable winning device 307 are on the game board 1.
The ball enters the collecting gutter 10 on the back side of the ball, and flows into the guide gutter 17 of the winning ball processing device 15 on the base 2 side through the respective passage sections 314a to 314d defined in the collecting gutter 10.

[0027] And general prize openings 301, 302a, 3
02b, 303a, 303b and variable prize winning device 307
In order to give different numbers of prize balls to the winning balls in the special winning holes 304, 305a, 305b, the control device of the game board 1 controls the special winning holes 304, 305a, 305.
When winning a prize in b, a prize ball signal is output to the control device 200 on the prize ball side. That is, the control device of the game board 1 controls the start switches 308, 3 of the specific winning holes 304, 305a, 305b.
When 09a and 309b are turned on, a prize ball signal (safe II signal, etc.) is output to the prize ball side control device 200 each time they are turned on. When this prize ball signal is input, the control device 200 selects the number of prize balls on the Safe II side described above.

On the other hand, the structure of the control device 200 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIGS. 26 and 27, the CPU 201, interface 202, input/output terminals 203 to 208, and timer transmission circuit 2
09, consists of a board 223 on which electrical components such as a power supply circuit 210 are arranged and connected, and a metal case 224 that houses the board 223. IC parts such as the CPU 201, transistors, relatively large capacitors, etc. are mounted on the surface of the substrate 223, and each input/output terminal 203 to 208 and reset switch 21
1 are arranged around the four sides of the front surface of the substrate 223, and small resistors, capacitors, etc. are arranged on the back surface of the substrate 223. The main body 226 of the case 224 is formed by bending two longitudinal sides 227 and one end 228 to form a housing frame.A small groove 229 is provided in parallel on the inside of the side 227, and the opening side is formed in this groove 229. The circuit board 223 is placed from the top and inserted. Side surface 227 of main body 226
The end face 228 has openings 230 to 230 for connecting and disconnecting wiring connectors from the outside to the input/output terminals 205 to 208 of the board 223, and for operating the reset switch 211.
232 is formed. The lid 233 of the case 224 is
Side surface 234, end surfaces 235, 236 to match the main body 226
is bent and formed, one end surface 236 is extended to cover the opening of the main body 226, and the other surfaces 234, 2
35 is formed at a height that does not overlap the openings 230 to 232 of the main body 226. The above-mentioned monitor display unit 212 consisting of display elements LED-A to LED-O is attached to the surface of the lid 233, and the end surface 236 of the lid 233 is provided with the substrate 2 from the outside.
Openings 237 are formed in the input/output terminals 203 and 204 of 23 for attaching and detaching wiring connectors. Also, lid 2
Two contact pieces 238 that contact the ground surface of the board 223 are bent inward and formed on the end face 236 of the board 33 . Four fitting recesses (small holes) 239 are provided on the side surface 227 of the main body 226, and fitting protrusions 240 that fit into the fitting recesses 239 are provided on the inner side of the side surface 234 of the lid 233.

The substrate 223 is inserted into the groove 2 from the opening side of the main body 226.
29, cover the lid 233 while aligning the end surface 236 of the lid 233 with the opening side, and insert the fitting protrusion 2 of the lid 233 into the opening side.
40 is fitted into the fitting recess 239 of the main body 226, the board 223 is accommodated and supported within the case 224, and the case 224 is assembled. Further, at the same time as this assembly, the contact piece 238 of the end surface 236 of the lid 233 contacts the ground surface of the board 223 with a predetermined pressing force, and the ground of the board 223 is connected to the case 224. As a result, the substrate 22
3 is shielded by a conductive case 224. The control device 200 is disposed on the back side of the base 2 as shown in FIG. By pushing the case 224 into the
1, that is, the protrusion 241 on the outer surface side formed by processing the groove 229 is hooked and attached. A wiring member 62 connected to the conductive plates 59a, 59b of the guide gutter 41 is fastened and connected to the surface of the lid 233 of the case 224 of the control device 200 via screws 242 (see FIG. 5). Note that the board 223 of the control device 200 also serves as the main power source (24V) and ground of the control device 200.

In this way, the control device 200 inserts the compact board 223 into the groove 229 of the case body 226, covers the lid 233, and inserts the fitting protrusion 240 into the fitting recess 239.
By fitting the board 223 into the case 224, the board 223 can be accurately stored and supported in the case 224, and the case 224 can be easily assembled. Therefore, the control device 200 can be made smaller and lighter, and can be easily assembled without the need for fastening members such as screws, thereby significantly reducing the number of assembly steps. Further, the board 223 of the control device 200 is
When the case 224 is assembled, the contact piece 238 on the end surface 236 of the lid 233 contacts the ground surface of the board 223 with a predetermined pressing force, so there is no need to use screws, ground wires, etc. for connection.
The board 223 can be shielded with a conductive case 224 that houses it. For this reason, the conductive case 224
The entire board 223 can be easily shielded,
This shield prevents external noise from entering the case 224.
It is possible to reliably prevent the light from passing through and affecting the IC components and the like on the board 223. Further, although this control device 200 is disposed on the back surface of the base plate 2, since it is small, it is easy to set the mounting position, and the degree of freedom in designing the base plate 2 is increased. In addition, when installing and removing from the base 2, please refer to the case body 2.
By using the protrusion 241 on the back side of the groove 229 of 26,
It can be done easily.

On the other hand, in a game board 1 shown in FIGS. 23 to 25 that allows jackpot games, the prize balls are ejected in a short time for a large number of winning balls. A large amount of static electricity is generated due to friction between various parts of the system and the flowing pachinko balls, and the pachinko balls are charged. However, this static electricity is transferred from the induction gutter 41 of the prize ball ejecting device 16 to the conductive plates 59a, 59b, and the wiring member 62. , the attenuator 61, the case 224 of the control device 200, and the ground of the board 223. That is, conductive plates 59a, 59 are placed on the bottom of the passageway of the induction gutter 41 following the prize ball storage tank 40.
b, the conductive plates 59a and 59b are connected to the case 224 of the control device 200 via an attenuator 61 such as a resistor, and the case 224 is connected to the ground of the board 223, so that the induction gutter 41 is connected to the pachinko ball. When the static electricity flows down, the static electricity is led from the conductive plates 59a and 59b to the attenuator 61, where its energy is attenuated, and further from the main power supply side of the control device 200 via the case 224 of the control device 200 and the ground of the board 223. It is released to the outside. For this reason, when pachinko balls pass through sensors on the prize ball system (ejection sensor, safe sensor, etc.) and sensors on the game board 1 side (start switch, cycle switch, count switch, etc.), static electricity is discharged from the pachinko ball. It is possible to reliably prevent the sensor from being destroyed or malfunctioning. Further, since the static electricity released to the conductive plates 59a and 59b is attenuated by the attenuator 61, the board 223 of the control device 200 is not adversely affected by static electricity noise. In addition, if the conductive plates 59a and 59b are connected to the frame side of the board 2 and the static electricity is absorbed by the frame and discharged naturally, it is necessary to connect the ground when there is a large amount of static electricity. Since the static electricity is discharged from the main power source side of the control device 200 in this manner, static electricity can be reliably released and high reliability can be obtained. Also,
In this way, since static electricity is emitted from the main power supply side of the control device 200, noise absorption performance may differ depending on the structure of the control device, such as when static electricity is emitted from the control device side of the game board 1 side. There is no problem of having to connect the conductive plates 59a, 59b every time the conductive plates 59a and 59b are replaced. Note that the conductive plates 59a, 59b
The bottom wall of the prize ball storage tank 40, the discharge mechanism 42a,
It may be provided in each gutter portion of 42b.

Next, the control contents by the control device 200 are shown in FIG.
This will be explained based on the flowcharts shown in FIGS. 8 to 94. Figure 2
8 shows the initialization process when the power is turned on, which includes setting the stack pointer, clearing RAM, setting registers, turning off output,
Set the number of prize balls, counter settings for illegal discharge, etc. To set the number of prize balls, read the prize ball value from the EEPROM and display it on the monitor display section 212 as shown in FIG. Configure settings. If the safe 1 key of the remote control transmitter 213 is turned on as shown in FIG. When the set key is pressed after selecting the number, the value is stored in the EEPROM as the number of prize balls on the safe I side. If the Safe 2 key is on, the selection flag will change the number of prize balls to 2 (Safe II
When the set key is pressed after selecting a predetermined value using the +1 key and -1 key, that value is stored in the EEPROM as the number of prize balls for the set II side. To read the remote control signal, refer to Figures 31 to 37.
Reading and writing of the number of prize balls in the EPROM is performed as shown in FIGS. 38 to 51. Note that as initial data, as shown in FIG. 48, the number of prize balls on the Safe I side is 13 and the number of prize balls on the Safe II side is 7. While setting the number of prize balls, the number of prize balls on the Safe I side is displayed on LCD-A and C of the monitor display section 212, and the number of prize balls on the Safe II side is displayed on LCD-G and I, and while the number of prize balls on the Safe I side is being set. LCD-D flashes during settings on the Safe II side, and LCD-J flashes during settings on the Safe II side (described later).

FIG. 95 shows a timing chart on the safe I side. When the safe 1 key is turned on, the LCD
-D will flash and if you turn on the +1 key, for example [11]
The displays on LCD-A and C that were displaying [12] switch to [12], and when you turn on the -1 key, the displays on LCD-A and C that were displaying [12] switch to [11], and when you turn on the -1 key, the displays on LCD-A and C that were displaying [12] switch to [11]. After selecting, for example, [13] as the number of prize balls, when the set key is turned on, the LCD-D is turned off. In this way, the player can freely and easily set a plurality of numbers of prize balls on the Safe I side and Safe II side by operating the remote control while looking at the monitor display. For this reason, it is possible to set the number of prize balls that matches the model of the game board 1, and even if it becomes necessary to change the number of prize balls due to replacement of the game board 1, it can be easily handled. Also, since you can freely set the number of prize balls,
The degree of freedom in developing gaming machines increases, and it becomes possible to develop gaming machines that take advantage of the characteristics of gaming, such as variable prize winning devices. Note that the setting of the number of prize balls will not be permitted if the safe 1 key or safe 2 key signal is not input from the remote control transmitter 213 within 30 seconds after the power is turned on, and the remote control transmitter 213 will not be allowed to input a predetermined passcode. Since it is impossible to send the ball unless it is done, it is possible to prevent the number of prize balls from being changed illegally.

FIG. 52 shows the main loop, which includes "status update", "reset processing", "error processing",
It consists of "ball removal processing" and "discharge processing". “Status update” is a background job that updates the timer and updates (monitors) each sensor as shown in FIG. The timer update is performed in FIGS. 54 to 57. Safe sensor monitoring is to accurately detect pachinko balls (winning balls) passing through the flow regulating section 29 of the flow regulating gutter 18 of the winning ball processing device 15 using a safe sensor, and as shown in FIG. is read, and when the signal of the safe sensor changes from off to on, it is determined that there is a winning ball when the on time is between 3 msec and 100 msec. If there is a winning ball, the safe ball counter is incremented by 1 as shown in FIG. Moreover, when the ON time of the safe sensor is 3 msec or less or 100 msec to 200 msec, it is invalidated, and when it continues for 200 msec or more, an open error (broken wire) is determined.

The discharge sensors 1 and 2 are monitored by the discharge mechanism 42a.
(Discharge 1 side), 42b (Discharge 2 side) flow regulating gutter 72a, 7
The ejection sensor 1 upstream of the ejection stopper mechanism 73a, 73b removes the pachinko balls (prize balls) flowing down the flow regulating part 85 of 2b.
2 for accurate detection, as shown in Figure 60.
, 61 and 62, detection (rise detection) is performed based on the previous signals and current signals of the discharge sensors 1 and 2. In other words, the signals of discharge sensors 1 and 2 changed from off to on (previously)
If the current signals of the ejection sensors 1 and 2 are on, it is determined that there is a ball, that is, that a pachinko ball has entered the ejection sensors 1 and 2. When the signals of the ejection sensors 1 and 2 changed to off (previously), if the signals of the ejection sensors 1 and 2 this time are off, it is determined that there are no balls, that is, there are no pachinko balls in the ejection sensors 1 and 2. . FIGS. 96(A) and 96(B) show an example of the processing of discharge sensors 1 and 2. In the case of frame 2 or 10, the sensor signal changes from off to on and then turns off again. Signal on is treated as noise and invalidated. For frame 5 or 13,
After the sensor signal changes from off to on, the signal turns on again this time, so it is determined that there is a ball (rising) when the signal is input this time. In the case of frames 6 and 7, the presence of a ball has already been determined. In the case of frame 9, after the sensor signal changes from on to off, the signal turns off again this time, so it is determined that there is no ball (falling) when the signal is input this time. Also,
When monitoring the discharge sensors 1 and 2, the counters on the discharge 1 and 2 sides are decremented by 1 when a rise is determined. Note that in a state where the ejection stopper mechanisms 73a and 73b prevent the pachinko balls from flowing down, the ejection sensors 1 and 2 detect the second pachinko ball following the first one.

The ball removal sensor monitoring is for detecting whether or not the ball removal sensor is turned on by operating the instrument inserted through the operation hole on the front surface of the base plate 2. Although not shown in the figure, the ball removal sensor signal is detected. When changing from off to on (previously), if the current signal of the ball removal sensor is on, it is determined that the ball removal sensor is on. When the signal of the ball removal sensor is off,
If the current signal from the ball removal sensor is off, it is determined that the ball removal sensor is off. In the short circuit monitoring, if the short circuit of the safe sensor continues for 200 msec in FIG. 63, a short error (short circuit) is determined. In this way, winning balls, ejection 1 side,
It is possible to accurately detect whether the prize ball or ball removal sensor on the second side is on. In other words, the winning ball is determined from the on time of the safe sensor signal.
In addition, the ejection sensors 1 and 2 and the ball removal sensor detect the prize ball and sensor on by comparing the previous signal and the current signal, so sensor signals and noise can be distinguished, and the control device 200 can be prevented by erroneous signals. Malfunctions can be reliably prevented. In addition, it is thereby possible to reliably prevent fraudulent activities such as causing the prize ball ejecting device 16 or the like to malfunction due to the generation of noise caused by discharging electricity onto a metal part such as a metal frame of a pachinko machine using an electronic lighter or the like. In the reset switch monitoring, when the reset switch is turned on as shown in FIG. 64, a reset flag is turned on.

[0037] Safe II monitoring increments the Safe II ball counter by 1 based on the Safe II signal from the control device of the game board 1 when a winning ball is received in the specific winning holes 304, 305a, 305b of the game board 1. . To describe the operation of the control device of this game board 1, when there is a win in the specific winning slots 304, 305a, 305b as shown in FIGS. 97 and 98, the number of wins is stored, and the control device 20
Safe II signal is 300 in synchronization with the call signal from 0.
Output for m seconds. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 65, the control device 200 outputs a call signal every 50 msec to match the processing timing, and when it receives the Safe II signal from the control device of the gaming board 1, the signal continues for 10 msec. Sometimes, it is determined that there is a Safe II ball. When it is determined that there is a ball entering Safe II, the Safe II outputs a call signal for 320 m seconds and stores the number of balls entering Safe II.
Add 1 to the ball counter. Thereafter, the call signal is turned off for 170 m seconds, and the call signal is output again every 50 m seconds. The next Safe II signal is not accepted until after the call signal is output for 320 msec and then turned off for 170 msec. Figure 9
9 shows a timing chart of Safe II signal processing. By using call signals in this way, signals can be sent and received accurately, and control can be performed accurately and easily. Note that while the control device of the game board 1 is suspended, the ready signal from the control device changes to "H" and safe II signal processing is not performed.

Here, when the power is cut off, the values of the safe ball counter and the safe II ball counter enter the power fail process shown in FIG. 66, and the values of the safe ball counter and safe II ball counter are
will be written to. Then, each value written in the EEPROM will be saved when the power is turned on after that.
In FIG. 51, the safe ball counter and the safe II ball counter are returned. The value of the safe ball counter that stores the winning balls that pass through the safe sensor, and the value of the safe II ball counter that stores the number of winnings in a predetermined winning hole of the game board 1 based on the safe II signal, disappear when the power is turned off. However, when the power is turned off, the counter is backed up in a nonvolatile EEPROM, and when the power is turned on again, the counter returns to its original state. Therefore, if the power is cut off for some reason, there is no need to worry about the number of winnings stored in the safe sensor and the number of winnings stored in the specified winning opening being erased, and once the power is restored, the original stored values will remain. You can enter each process. Therefore, if a prize is won before the power is cut off, the prize ball can be reliably ejected by the ejection process described later according to the memory after the power is restored.
Reliability is significantly improved.

In the "reset process", when the reset flag is turned on in the reset switch monitoring shown in FIG. 64, the counter setting for illegal ejection is started as shown in FIG. 68, and the number of balls for monitoring illegal ejection is set to 1 in FIG. , set on the counter for illegal discharge on the 2 side. When an open error or a short error of the safe sensor is determined, the ball firing motor is turned off and the safe lamp (prize ball lamp) is blinked as shown in FIGS. 70 to 76, and the system waits for the error to be corrected. After the error has been corrected, the firing motor is turned back on in FIG. 77. As shown in the timing chart in Figure 100, open errors and short errors can be accurately detected, and in the event of an error, the firing motor is turned off and enters a standby state, thereby reliably preventing players from entering the game with the safe sensor malfunctioning. can.

[0040] In the "discharge process", as shown in Figs. 78 to 90, the presence or absence of winning balls is checked from the values of the safe ball counter and the safe II ball counter, and if there are winning balls, after checking the ejection conditions, Set the number of prize balls (number of discharged balls) and discharge the set number of prize balls. The discharge condition is established when 400 msec (discharge weight timer) has elapsed since the end of the previous discharge process and the discharge sensors 1 and 2 continue to be in the ball presence state for 50 msec as shown in FIG. In other words, the flow regulating gutter 72a, 72b of the discharge mechanism 42a, 42b was not in the previous discharge process.
If there is a prize ball inside and there is no error, it is OK to start discharging. As shown in Figure 81, for the number of ejected balls, if there is a safe ball and there is no ball entering Safe II, the number of prize balls on the Safe I side is set.
If there are balls entering the Safe II, select the number of prize balls on the Safe II side, select a discharge method that matches the number of prize balls, and start discharging the prize balls. In other words, regardless of Safe I or Safe II, if the number of prize balls is 9 or more, divide the number of prize balls (approximately in half) and set the divided number of prize balls on the counters on the discharge 1 and 2 sides. Then, combined discharge from both discharge mechanisms 42a and 42b is performed. When the number of prize balls is 8 or less, the number of prize balls is set alternately on the counters on the discharge 1 side and 2 side, and alternate discharge from the discharge mechanisms 42a and 42b is performed. At this time, the corresponding discharge Sol1 and Sol2 are turned on. In addition, in the case of combined discharge and alternate discharge, the set value of the counter is set to a value that has been decremented by -1 in advance.

[0041] When the prize ball ejection starts, FIGS. 82 to 84
The number of prize balls is 1 (the counters on the ejection 1 side and 2 side are “
0''), the counters on the ejection 1 and 2 sides will be activated after 35 m seconds, and when the number of prize balls is 2 or more, each time the ejection sensors 1 and 2 detect the rise of the prize balls flowing down. -1 and when the counters on the ejection 1 and 2 sides become "0", the ejection of prize balls from the ejection mechanisms 42a and 42b ends, and the corresponding ejection Sol1 and Sol2 are turned off. If the counters on the discharge 1 and 2 sides do not reach "0" even after 3 seconds have elapsed from the start of ball discharge, discharge error processing is entered after turning off discharge Sol1 and 2 (described later).

[0042] Here, single discharge, alternate discharge, and combined discharge will be explained. To eject one ball (number of prize balls “1”), the ejection mechanism 42
This system selectively ejects one prize ball from either one of the ejection mechanisms 42a and 42b, and as shown in the timing chart of FIG. After seconds, the discharge Sol1 is turned off. When discharging one piece next time, it is OK to start discharging again.
Then, the other discharge Sol2 of the discharge mechanisms 42a and 42b is turned on, and after 35 milliseconds, the discharge Sol2 is turned off. In addition, depending on whether exhaust Sol1 and Sol2 are turned on or off,
, 2 are once turned off and then turned on. Exhaust Sol1
or 2 is turned on, the locking claw 91a or 91b of the discharge stopper mechanism 73a or 73b
5, the pachinko balls whose flow was blocked by the locking claws 91a or 91b are released, and as a result of this release, the first ball in the corresponding flow regulating section 85 is moved to the prize ball discharge gutter 4.
3, and the second and subsequent balls start flowing down, but if the discharge Sol1 or 2 is turned off after 35 milliseconds, the locking claw 91a or 91b responds immediately after the second ball starts flowing down. The second and subsequent balls enter the flow regulating section 85 and are prevented from flowing down by the locking claws 91a or 91b (see FIGS. 14(A) and 14(B)). As a result, prize ball 1
pieces are ejected.

In the case of one discharge, if discharge Sol1, 2 (selected side) is turned on and then discharge Sol1, 2 is turned off by detecting the rising edge of discharge sensors 1, 2, the detection of discharge sensors 1, 2 will not be possible. It is impossible to eject one ball because two balls are ejected depending on the position (detecting the second ball following the first ball while being blocked from flowing down), and the ejection sensor 1
, 2 is detected and the discharge Sol1, 2 is turned off, unless the inclination of the flow regulating part 85 is made gentler to slow down the flow rate of the balls, the turning off of the discharge Sol1, 2 will be delayed, so one piece will still be turned off. Although it is impossible to discharge Sol1,
By turning on 2 for a specified time, that is, by controlling the time, one prize ball can be ejected accurately. Note that if the slope of the flow regulating section 85 is made gentler to slow down the velocity of the ball,
This is unsuitable because the ejection time and processing time become longer in alternate ejection or combined ejection in which a large number of prize balls are awarded.

[0044] In the alternate ejection (number of prize balls "2" to "8"), the prize balls corresponding to the number of prize balls "2" to "8" are sent to the ejecting mechanism 42.
As shown in the timing chart of Fig. 102 (when the number of prize balls is 3),
), when the discharge start is OK, the discharge mechanisms 42a and 42b
When one of the discharge Sol1 is turned on, the locking claw 91a retreats and the pachinko ball starts flowing down from the corresponding flow regulating part 85, and accordingly the discharge sensor 1 detects the rise of the falling pachinko ball. , when the rising edge is detected a predetermined number of times (number of prize balls - 1), the discharge Sol1 is turned off. In addition, when performing alternate discharge next time, once the discharge start is OK, the other discharge Sol2 of the discharge mechanisms 42a and 42b is turned on, and the pachinko balls similarly start flowing down from the corresponding flow regulation part 85, and the discharge sensor 2 The rising of the falling pachinko ball is detected, and when the rising is detected a predetermined number of times (number of prize balls - 1), the discharge So
Turn off l2. That is, when the discharge Sol1 or 2 is turned on, the locking pawl 91a or 91b retreats, and the leading pachinko ball flows down from the corresponding flow regulating section 85, followed by the subsequent balls flowing down from the upstream side of the flow regulating section 85 and the guiding section 84 side. Starting from the top ball, these balls fall into the prize ball discharge gutter 43 in order, and the number of falling Pachinko balls is counted from the detection of the rising of the Pachinko balls by the discharge sensor 1 or 2. At this time, depending on the positions of the discharge sensors 1 and 2, the flow regulating section 85
The first and second balls are not counted, but the third ball is counted. Then, count the pachinko balls by the set value of the counter on the corresponding ejection 1 side or 2 side,
When the discharge Sol1 or 2 is turned off, the balls counted last time fall into the prize ball discharge gutter 43 before the corresponding locking claw 91a or 91b enters the flow regulating section 85, and the balls counted at the current time and the balls after the current count are The following balls are prevented from flowing down by the corresponding locking claws 91a or 91b that have entered the flow regulating portion 85 (see FIGS. 14(A) and 14(B)). As a result, a number of prize balls equal to the count number +1 are ejected in addition to the first ball and the second ball. In the case of FIG. 102, the count is 2 and 3 prize balls are ejected.

[0045] In this way, in alternate discharge, the number of prize balls is -1
By counting the number of pachinko balls and turning off the discharge Sol, it is possible to accurately discharge the prize balls corresponding to the number of prize balls. Note that while the discharge Sol1, 2 (selected side) is on, the first ball and the second ball of the flow regulating section 85 flow down the flow regulating section 85 while almost touching each other, and the third and subsequent balls from the guiding section 84 flow down the flow regulating section 85. Since the flow regulation part 85 continues at an angle of approximately 45 degrees, the ball gradually separates from the ball in front and flows down the flow regulation part 85 while changing direction, and the subsequent ball from the vertical part 83 hits the upper wall of the guiding part 84. 8
Since the speed and interval are adjusted by 9, the water flows down the flow adjustment section 85 at a predetermined distance. For this reason, the discharged So
When l11,2 is turned off, it becomes easier for the locking claws 91a, 91b to enter into the flow regulating part 85 as the number of prize balls increases, but even when the number of prize balls is two, the locking claws 91a, 91b is easy to enter.

[0046] In single-piece ejection and alternate ejection, the player selects whether to eject the prize ball from either of the two ejection mechanisms 42a, 42b each time the process begins. That is, when one ball is continuously ejected depending on the winning ball, for example, for the first winning ball, the ejecting is performed on the ejecting mechanism 42a side, and for the next winning ball, the ejecting ball is ejected on the ejecting mechanism 42b side. Evacuation takes place (see Figure 101). Similarly, when alternate ejection is performed continuously, for example, for the first prize, the ejection mechanism 42a
Discharging is performed on the side, and for the next prize, the discharging mechanism 42
Discharging is performed on the b side (see FIG. 102). In addition, when one piece discharge and alternate discharge are continuous, for example, first one piece discharge is performed on the discharge mechanism 42a side, and then the next alternate discharge is performed on the discharge mechanism 42b side. In this way, since the prize balls are discharged by alternately using the two systems of discharge mechanisms 42a and 42b, it is possible to prevent the flow of balls from being biased in the guide gutter 41 etc. and causing ball clogging, etc. Maintains smooth ejection of balls. Incidentally, even if only one of one ball discharge or alternate discharge is used depending on the setting of the number of prize balls, the discharge mechanisms 42a and 42b are of course used alternately.

[0047] For combined ejection (number of prize balls "9" or more), prize balls corresponding to the number of prize balls "9" to "15" are ejected from both ejection mechanisms 42.
As shown in the timing chart in FIG. 103 (when the number of prize balls is 10 and 15), when the discharge start is OK, both discharge mechanisms 42a and 42b
Turn on the discharge Sol1, 2, and when these are turned on, the locking claws 91a, 91b retreat and the pachinko balls start to flow down from both flow regulating parts 85, and accordingly, the discharge sensors 1, 2 detect the flow of the pachinko balls flowing down. Detect the rising edge. Then, the discharge sensors 1 and 2 each detect the rise a predetermined number of times (the number of divided prize balls -
1) When detected, in this case, if the number of prize balls is 10, the discharge sensor 1 will be set to 4 due to the set value of the discharge 1 side counter = 4.
When the discharge sensor 2 detects the rise four times due to the set value of the discharge 2 side counter = 4, the corresponding discharge Sol
Turn off 1 and 2. Also, when the number of prize balls is 15, the set value of the discharge 1 side counter = 7, and the discharge sensor 1 is set to 7.
When the discharge sensor 2 detects the rise six times due to the set value of the discharge 2 side counter = 6, the corresponding discharge Sol
Turn off 1 and 2. That is, by turning on both discharge Sol1, 2, the locking claws 91a, 91b move back, and the leading pachinko ball starts to flow down from the flow regulating section 85, and then these following balls start flowing down, and these balls start flowing down from the leading pachinko ball. The balls fall into the prize ball discharge gutter 43 in order, and as a result, the discharge sensors 1 and 2 detect the rise of the pachinko balls, and the pachinko balls flowing down the flow regulating section 85 are detected by the corresponding discharge 1 side and 2 side counters. Count the set value and discharge Sol1 and Sol2 respectively.
By turning off, the number of prize balls that is +1 to the set value of the discharge 1 side counter is discharged from the flow regulation part 85 on the discharge mechanism 42a side, and the set value of the discharge 2 side counter is discharged from the flow regulation part 85 on the discharge mechanism 42b side. Prize balls whose value is +1 are ejected. At this time, depending on the positions of the discharge sensors 1 and 2, the first ball and the second ball in the flow regulating section 81 are not counted, and the third ball is not counted.
The ball is counted from the th ball, and the balls at the final count and the following balls are prevented from flowing down by turning off the discharge Sol1 and Sol2. As a result, as shown in FIG. 103, when the number of prize balls is 10, five prize balls are discharged from the flow regulation parts 85 of both discharge mechanisms 42a and 42b, and when the number of prize balls is 15, the discharge mechanism Eight prize balls are discharged from the flow regulation section 85 of the discharge mechanism 42a, and seven prize balls are discharged from the flow regulation section 85 of the discharge mechanism 42b.

[0048] In this way, in the combined ejection, the number of prize balls is divided and the number of pachinko balls subtracted by 1 from the number of prize balls after division is counted, and the ejection Sol1 and Sol2 are turned off.
It is possible to accurately discharge prize balls corresponding to the number of prize balls. In addition, when the number of prize balls is large, the combined ejection is possible with both ejection mechanisms 4
Since the prize balls are ejected using the balls 2a and 42b, the ejection time can be shortened. In addition, in the case of combined discharge, the balls from the vertical part 83 upstream of the guiding part 84 flow down the flow regulation part 85, and when the distance between the balls is large, the discharge Sol1, 2 is turned off, so of course the locking claws 91a, 91b can easily enter into the flow regulating section 85.

By the way, if ball clogging occurs in the guide gutter 41 following the upper tank 40, the ejection mechanisms 42a, 42b, etc. during these ejection processes, the specified number of prize balls may not be ejected. Therefore, in FIG. 82, from the start of discharge, before the values of the counters on the corresponding discharge 1 and 2 sides reach "0", 3
When seconds (emission monitoring timer) have elapsed, it is determined that there is an ejection error due to ball clogging and the ejection Sol1 and Sol2 are turned off. In other words, it is possible to accurately detect an ejection error due to ball clogging from the values of the counters on the corresponding ejection 1 and 2 sides after a predetermined period of time has elapsed, and in this case, the ejection error due to ball clogging can be detected while the ejection Sol 1 and Sol 2 are kept in the OFF state. will be corrected. On the other hand, if a ball jam occurs and the values of the counters on the corresponding ejection 1 and 2 sides are "1", the last pachinko ball will not be counted, but the previous pachinko ball will also be ejected. In this case, a specified number of prize balls will be ejected. After the correction of the ball clogging is completed, the discharge error is recovered when the discharge sensors 1 and 2 continue to be in the ball presence state for 3 seconds as shown in FIG. 85. After this return, the number of prize balls before the error is reset to the corresponding discharge 1 side and 2 side counters, and the discharge process is started again. If the values of the corresponding discharge 1 side and 2 side counters are "1", the prescribed number of prize balls will be discharged, and therefore the discharge process will end.

FIG. 104 shows a timing chart after an ejection error and recovery (the number of prize balls due to combined ejection is 10
), the discharge monitoring timer (3 seconds) starts at the same time as discharge Sol1 and 2 are turned on, and for example, when the specified number of pachinko balls are counted on the discharge sensor 2 side, discharge Sol2 is turned off, but on the discharge sensor 1 side If the discharge monitoring timer times out before counting the specified number of pachinko balls,
It is determined that there is an ejection error and the ejection Sol is ejected at the same time as the time is up.
1 is turned off and waits for recovery. After the recovery is completed, the discharge start condition is determined when the corresponding sensor 1 continues to be on for the period of the discharge monitoring timer (3 seconds), and if it is OK, the predetermined number of prize balls were not discharged last time. , perform the ejection process again with the same number of prize balls. In particular, even if an error occurs like this, by performing the ejection process again with the same number of prize balls after recovery, the prescribed prize balls will always be ejected for each winning prize, and this will prevent players from using the prize balls. You can prevent troubles with. In addition, in the case of an error in the discharge conditions, there is a ball jam or there is no prize ball in the upper tank 40, so the system waits for the ball jam to be resolved or the prize ball to be refilled. When the discharge sensors 1 and 2 are turned on, it is OK to start discharge.

[0051] When the discharge process is completed, the process shown in FIGS.
In Figure 89, set the ejection wait timer (400 msec) and decrement the value of the safe ball counter by 1, and at the same time, if this prize ball ejection is due to the prize ball on the Safe II side, the Safe II
Decrement the value of the ball counter by 1.

Incidentally, in the error processing shown in FIGS. 52, 70, and 71, and every time the prize ball ejection is completed as shown in FIG. 78, a counter for illegal ejection is set to monitor illegality. That is, when the prize balls are not being ejected, the ejection mechanisms 42a, 42
If the prize ball is ejected from b, the ejection 1 side,
When the counter for illegal ejection on the second side counts five prize balls, it is determined that an illegal error has occurred, and the ball ejection Sol is turned on in FIG. 90, resulting in a stop state. If the prize ball is ejected due to some abnormality even though the prize ball is not being ejected or there is no winning ball, or if the prize ball is ejected due to some abnormality following the ejection of the prize ball, An unauthorized error is determined based on the count value of the unauthorized discharge counter. Unauthorized discharge may occur if the locking claws 91a or 91b of the discharge stopper mechanisms 73a or 73b remain retracted from the flow regulating section 85 due to a failure of the discharge Sol1 or 2, or if the locking claws 91a of the discharge stopper mechanisms 73a and 73b remain retracted from the flow regulating section 85 due to a malfunction in the discharge stopper mechanisms 73a and 73b. The prize ball may be ejected if the ball or 91b is forcibly moved to the retreat position, but since the ejection of the prize ball is constantly monitored, if there is any irregularity in ejection, we will promptly correct the irregularity. Can be detected. In addition, if fraud is detected, the ball will be removed.
is turned on, the prize ball is collected from the ball removal gutter 45,
Prize balls can be prevented from being discharged to the supply tray side. Then, in this state, recovery from failure or fraud is performed, and when the reset switch is turned on after recovery, the ball extraction Sol is turned off and restart is started.

FIG. 105 shows a timing chart of fraud monitoring. For example, when the discharge process is not in progress, the discharge sensor 1
When movement of the ball is detected, each time the rising of the ball is detected, the unauthorized monitoring counter on the discharge 1 side is incremented by 1, and as soon as the counter reaches "5", the ball removal Sol is turned on and the system waits for recovery. Then, when the recovery is completed and the reset switch is turned on, the counter is cleared, the ball extraction Sol is turned off, and the process ends. In this way, it is possible to accurately detect irregularities in ejection due to malfunctions in the ejection Sol1, 2, etc., fraudulent acts, etc., and in the event of an irregularity, the ball ejecting Sol will cause the prize ball to be sent to the ball ejecting gutter 4.
5, the discharge is immediately stopped, and the system enters a standby state, so that it is possible to sufficiently prevent malfunctions of the discharge Sol1, Sol2, etc., as well as fraud.

FIG. 91 shows the "ball removal process", and the ball removal process is performed when the game machine is discontinued, when the game parlor is closed, and when each device breaks down or is inspected. Ball removal processing is not possible when there are winning balls, while prize balls are being ejected, or while each error process is being processed. When a device such as a pin is inserted through the operation hole on the front of the base 2 and the ball removal sensor is turned on (based on ball removal sensor monitoring),
When the ball extraction Sol is turned on and the ball extraction start timer (1 second) has elapsed, both discharge Sol1 and Sol2 of the discharge stopper mechanisms 73a and 73b are turned on. The ball extraction gate 110 provided at the branch part of the ball extraction gutter 45 when the ball extraction Sol is turned on.
At the same time, in order to prevent the ball from being ejected while the ball removal gate 110 is opening, the ejection Sol1 and Sol2 are turned on after the ball removal start timer (1 second) has elapsed, and the locking pawl 91a is opened from the flow regulating part 85. , 91b are moved back. As a result, the prize balls in the upper tank 40 of the prize ball discharge device 16 and the guide gutter 41
The prize balls in the ejection mechanisms 42a and 42b are sent to the prize ball ejection gutter 43.
The ball flows down from the ball to the ball removal gutter 45, and is discharged and collected into a recovery gutter (not shown) at the rear of the pachinko machine.

Then, when the prize balls in the upper tank 40, the guide gutter 41, and the ejection mechanisms 42a and 42b are ejected to the collection gutter and the ejection sensors 1 and 2 are turned off, the ejection 1 and 2 ball no timers (
3 seconds) is set, and after this timer elapses, the discharge Sol1
, 2 are turned off, and then the ball extraction Sol is turned off. At this time, even if the discharge sensors 1 and 2 are turned off, the upper tank 4
If the balls remaining without flowing out due to 0 etc. are delayed and the discharge sensors 1 and 2 are turned on, the corresponding discharge 1 and 2 ball no timers are reset, and after this timer elapses, the discharge Sol
1, 2, turn off the ball removal Sol. As a result, all the prize balls are ejected and collected, and after the ejection sensors 1 and 2 continue to be off for 3 seconds, the locking claws 91a and 91b return to the flow regulating section 85, and the ball removal gate 110 is activated to remove the balls. Gutter 4
The process returns to the closed position of No. 5 (the prize ball ejection gutter 43 is open) and automatically ends. Note that if there are no recovered balls, the process will automatically end when the ball extraction start timer elapses.

FIG. 106 shows a timing chart of the ball removal process. When the ball removal sensor is turned on, the ball removal So
Ball removal is started by turning on Sol 1 and Sol 2 one second later. Then, when the ball extraction is completed, when the discharge sensors 1 and 2 are turned off for 3 seconds, the discharge Sol 1 and 2 and the ball extraction Sol are turned off, and the process ends. In this way, by turning on the ball removal sensor, balls can be removed, and all the prize balls are ejected and collected, and the ejection sensors 1 and 2
When the is turned off for 3 seconds, the discharge Sol1, 2, the ball removal Sol
The locking claws 91a, 91b and the ball extraction gate 11 are turned off.
Since the zero returns to the original position and the process ends automatically, there is no need for any confirmation or operation when the ball is removed, making the work easier.

In addition, if you want to forcibly stop the ball removal process during the ball removal process, insert the pin or other instrument again through the operation hole of the base 2 and turn on the ball removal sensor again. The extraction will be forcibly terminated. That is, ball removal So
When the ball removal sensor is turned on after turning on the button 1, a forced termination timer (1 second) is set as shown in Fig. 91, and if the prize ball is being collected, the ejection sensor 1 and 2 detect the rise of the ball and the corresponding timer is set. If you have turned off the ejection Sol1 and 2 and finished collecting the prize balls, the ejection S will be turned off when the forced termination timer elapses.
Turn off ol1 and ol2. Then, the ball removal end timer (3
After the elapse of seconds), turn off the ball extraction Sol. This results in
The locking claws 91a and 91b return to the flow regulating section 85, and the ball removal gate 110 returns to the closed position of the ball removal gutter 45, resulting in forced termination.

FIG. 107 shows a timing chart for forced termination of the ball removal process (when the ejection 1 side is collecting prize balls and the ejection 2 side has collected the prize balls), the ball removal sensor is turned on again during the ball removal process. As a result of the detection, on the ejection 2 side, the ejection Sol2 is turned off after 1 second, on the ejection 1 side, the ejection Sol1 is turned off when the ejection sensor 1 detects the rising of the ball, and 3 seconds after that, the ejection Sol is turned off. In this forced termination, the balls whose rise was detected during the collection of prize balls and the following balls are easily prevented from flowing down by the locking claws 91a and 91b that return into the flow regulating section 85.

The monitor display shows the number of prize balls on the safe I side on LCD-A and C of the monitor display section 212 as shown in FIGS. 92 and 93 when the power is turned on and when setting the number of prize balls as described above.
The number of prize balls on the Safe II side is displayed on D-G,I, and when setting the prize balls on the Safe I side, the LCD-D displays the number of prize balls on the Safe II side.
When setting the prize ball on the side, LCD-J flashes. In addition, in normal times, the value of the safe ball counter, that is, the number of winnings stored in the safe sensor, is displayed on the LCD of the monitor display section 212 in FIGS. 58 and 92.
-Displayed in E, G, I.

On the other hand, at the time of each error or during fraud monitoring processing,
In FIGS. 92 and 94, the LCD-M of the monitor display section 212,
The content and status of the error are displayed in O. In other words, when a safe sensor error occurs (Figures 71 to 73), the LCD-M displays “
Depending on the error condition, the number "1" will be "1" if it is a short error, and "2" if it is an open error.
numbers are displayed on the LCD-O. When there is an error in ejection (Fig. 71, Fig. 82, Fig. 85), the number "2" appears on the LCD-M, when the error occurs on the ejection sensor 1 side, the number "1" appears, and when the error occurs on the ejection sensor 2 side, the number "2" appears on the LCD-M. The number “2” is displayed on the LCD-
Displayed on O. At the time of discharge condition error (Figure 71, Figure 86)
The number "3" is displayed on LCD-M, the number "2" is displayed on the LCD-O when there is an error on the discharge sensor 1 side, and the number "3" is displayed on the LCD-O when there is an error on the discharge sensor 2 side. . When the fraud monitoring process is in progress (Fig. 71, Fig. 90), the LCD
-The number "4" is displayed on M. In addition, during each error,
LCD-N blinks during the fraud monitoring process. FIG. 108 shows examples of these displays.

[0061] In electronically controlled pachinko machines, if each detector or drive unit breaks down or there is fraudulent activity, it is necessary to find out which part is at fault or what type of fraud occurred. In this case, staff had to inspect each part of the pachinko machine one by one, but in the event of an error such as a malfunction or fraud,
Since the error location and error status are displayed on the monitor according to each process, you can easily discover the failure location, failure details, and fraudulent activities by looking at the monitor display. For example, if there is an error in ejecting a prize ball, the LCD screen M is “2”, LCD-
If O is displaying "1", it can be immediately discovered that there is an emission error on the emission sensor 1 side, and this makes it possible to respond accurately and quickly to failures, fraudulent acts, etc., and to recover from failures, etc. can be done easily.

[0062]

As described above, according to the present invention, there is provided a prize ball device for a pachinko machine that includes means for detecting winning balls and a control device that drives and controls a prize ball ejection mechanism based on the detection of winning balls. , a conductive plate that the prize ball contacts is provided in the flow path of the prize ball, and this conductive plate is connected to the ground of the control device via an attenuator, so that static electricity is eliminated when the prize ball flows through various parts of the ejection system. Also, even if a large amount of static electricity is generated due to the continuous ejection of a large number of prize balls like in modern pachinko machines, this static electricity is attenuated by the attenuator from the conductive plate, and the control device The static electricity is discharged to the outside from the main power supply side via the ground, and therefore static electricity is sufficiently prevented from having an adverse effect on the control system, ensuring high reliability as a winning ball device. In addition, since the discharge system control device is grounded, no special grounding is required, and even when the game board is replaced, there is no need to reconnect to the ground side.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of the base side of a pachinko machine.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the machine frame of the pachinko machine.

FIG. 3 is a back view of the base.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the upper tank.

FIG. 5 is a front view of the guide gutter portion.

6 shows the guide gutter part, (A) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA in FIG. 5, (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line B-B in FIG. 5, and (C) is a cross-sectional view taken along the line C-C in FIG. 5. It is a diagram.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the ball stopper device.

FIG. 8 shows the operating state of the ball stopper device, (A) is an explanatory diagram of its released state, and (B) is an explanatory diagram of its ball stopper state.

FIG. 9 is a front view of main parts of the ejection mechanism.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the back cover with the ejection mechanism disassembled.

FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view of the central base frame side of the ejection mechanism.

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the front cover with the ejection mechanism disassembled.

FIG. 13 is a structural diagram of a protruding portion of the ejection mechanism.

FIG. 14 shows the operating state of the discharge stopper mechanism, (A)
(B) is an explanatory diagram of the blocked state, and (B) is an explanatory diagram of the released state.

FIG. 15 shows a ball extraction gutter portion, with (A) being an exploded perspective view thereof, and (B) being a partially exploded view thereof.

FIG. 16 is a circuit configuration diagram on the CPU side of the control device.

FIG. 17 is a circuit diagram of the input/output side of the control device.

FIG. 18 is a perspective view of the control device.

FIG. 19 is a circuit configuration diagram on the passcode side of the remote control transmitter.

FIG. 20 is a circuit diagram of each signal key side of the remote control transmitter.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a remote control transmitter.

FIG. 22 is a layout diagram of a monitor display section.

FIG. 23 is a front view showing an example of a game board.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of the variable prize winning device.

FIG. 25 is a back view of the game board.

FIG. 26 is an exploded perspective view of the control device from the front side.

FIG. 27 is an exploded perspective view of the control case from the back side.

FIG. 28 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 29 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 30 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 31 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 32 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 33 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 34 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 35 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 36 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 37 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 38 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 39 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 40 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 41 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 42 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 43 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 44 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 45 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 46 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 47 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 48 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 49 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 50 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 51 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 52 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 53 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 54 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 55 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 56 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 57 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 58 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 59 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 60 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 61 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 62 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 63 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 64 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 65 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 66 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 67 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 68 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 69 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 70 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 71 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 72 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 73 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 74 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 75 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 76 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 77 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 78 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 79 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 80 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 81 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 82 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 83 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 84 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 85 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 86 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 87 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 88 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 89 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 90 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 91 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 92 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 93 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 94 is a flowchart showing control details.

FIG. 95 is a timing chart for setting the number of prize balls.

FIG. 96 shows sensor input processing, with (A) its characteristic diagram and (B) its table diagram.

FIG. 97 is a flowchart showing control on the game board side.

FIG. 98 is a flowchart showing control on the game board side.

FIG. 99 is a timing chart of signal exchange between control devices.

FIG. 100 is a timing chart of sensor fraud.

FIG. 101 is a timing chart for discharging one piece.

FIG. 102 is a timing chart of alternate discharge.

FIG. 103 is a timing chart of combined discharge.

FIG. 104 is a timing chart when an ejection error occurs.

FIG. 105 is a timing chart of illegal discharge.

FIG. 106 is a timing chart of ball removal processing.

FIG. 107 is a timing chart of ball removal processing.

FIG. 108 is a table showing an example of a display on a monitor display section.

[Explanation of symbols]

2. Foundation 3 Frame 10 Collection gutter 14 Ball launcher 15. Winning ball processing device 16 Prize ball ejection device 17 Guide gutter 18 Adjustment gutter 21 Safe sensor 40 Upper tank 41 Induction gutter 42a, 42b Ejection mechanism 43 Prize ball discharge gutter 45 Ball removal gutter 57a, 57b passage 58 Diversion wall 59a, 59b Conductive plate 61 Attenuator 62 Wiring components 63 Ball stopper device 71a, 71b Inflow gutter 72a, 72b　Flow control gutter 73a, 73b Ejection stopper mechanism 74a, 74b Ejection sensor 75 Unit case 76 Central base frame 79 Slope part 80　Bending part 81　Slope part 82　Bending part 83 Vertical part 84 Guidance part 85 Flow control section 86 Falling part 90a, 90b protrusion 91a, 91b Locking claw 92a, 92b Discharge solenoid 97 Storage department 99 recess 101 Notch part 103 Recess 110 Ball removal gate 116 Ball removal solenoid 200 Control device 201 CPU 203-208 Input terminal 211 Reset switch 212 Monitor display section 213 Remote control transmitter 214 Remote control receiver 216 Safe 1 key 217 Safe 2 key 218 +1 key 219 -1 key 220 Passcode key 221 Set key 223 Board 224 case 226 Main body 229 Groove 230 Opening 231 Opening 232 Opening 233 Lid 237 Opening 238 Contact piece 239 Fitting recess 240 Fitting convex part 304 Specific winning opening 305a, 305b Specific winning opening 307 Variable prize winning device 308 Start switch 309a, 309b Start switch

Claims (4)

[Claims] Claim 1: A prize ball device for a pachinko machine comprising means for detecting winning balls and a control device for driving and controlling a prize ball ejection mechanism based on the detection of winning balls, wherein the prize balls are in the flow path of the prize balls. A winning ball device for a pachinko machine, characterized in that a contacting conductive plate is provided, and the conductive plate is connected to the ground of the control device via an attenuator. 2. The prize ball device for a pachinko machine according to claim 1, wherein a conductive plate is provided in a guide gutter that aligns and guides prize balls in the storage tank to the ejection mechanism. 3. The prize ball device for a pachinko machine according to claim 2, wherein a conductive plate is provided in each of the plurality of passages of the guide gutter. 4. The prize of the pachinko machine according to claim 1, wherein a metal case of the control device is connected to the ground of the control device, and a conductive plate is connected to the case via an attenuator. Ball device.