JPH04246389A - Control circuit for solenoid of multistage power level type - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a control circuit for a solenoid actuator capable of working in both of a high power mode and a low power mode to prevent overheating and failure of a solenoid. CONSTITUTION: A player is furnished with a solenoid to generate high propulsive force at the time of closing a flipper switch. A primary power circuit is devised to reduce power and to send only low holding power at the time when the player closes the flipper switch longer than specified time. Thereafter, when a flipper starts moving from a holding, that is, static state, a sensor actuates a holding timer circuit and generates high propulsive force again. The holding timer circuit lowers power after another specified time passes. When the flipper starts slipping again, the holding timer circuit is reexcited and a cycle is repeated. When the player once releases the flipper switch, the solenoid is demagnetized, and both of the timer circuits are reset until the player presses the flipper switch again.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to pinball game machines, and more particularly to circuits for controlling power delivered to multi-power level solenoid actuators of flippers.

0002

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In a typical pinball game machine, an inclined game board supports a rotating ball and a plurality of play features such as targets, bumpers, etc. The game board also supports a pair of flippers that, when activated, allow the player to advance, hold, and re-launch the pinball while playing the game.

A typical flipper is a dynamic mode that applies enough force to the pinball to change its direction or advance the ball across the game board; It is used both in static mode and in static mode, which holds the object stationary. On average, only one-tenth the force required to propel the pinball is required to hold the flipper stationary. Since a single solenoid is used to operate each flipper, the solenoid must be able to provide both a advancing or dynamic force and a smaller holding or static force. Failure to reduce the power delivered to a solenoid in static mode will result in overheating and failure of the solenoid. As a result, various techniques have been developed to reduce the power delivered to the solenoid when the flipper is in a stationary or held state. Techniques developed in the prior art are disclosed in Deger, US Pat. No. 4,790,536, and Power, US Pat. No. 4,384,716. Although such prior art systems can reduce the force sent to the solenoid in the holding state, they cannot compensate for flipper slippage that can occur when the flipper is held stationary for long periods of time. be. Therefore, an improved control circuit that can efficiently and automatically maintain power delivered to a solenoid actuator in both dynamic and static modes is desired.

0004

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a general object of the present invention to operate in both a high power or dynamic mode and a low power or static mode to avoid overheating and damage to the solenoid. An object of the present invention is to provide an improved control circuit for a solenoid actuator.

Another object of the invention is a control circuit for a pinball flipper that is capable of increasing the force delivered to a solenoid actuator in a holding or static mode if the flipper slips from a holding condition. The goal is to provide the following.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description. The present invention overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art as mentioned above. This means it can send high power to the solenoid in dynamic mode, reduce power to the solenoid when the flipper is used in static mode, and switch to static mode when slipping of the flipper is detected. A control circuit for a sonic actuator operable to increase the power delivered to a sonic actuator is provided. Preferably, the control circuit of the present invention is capable of controlling either a solenoid having a double coil or a single coil that can be energized at at least two power levels. When the player closes the flipper switch, a high propulsion force is generated. If the player leaves the switch closed for a short period of time, a lower hold power is sent and the power is reduced to keep the flipper in a static state. Then, when the flipper begins to slide from its held or stationary state (due to the weight of the ball resting on it), a sensor activates a duration timer circuit. The power delivered by the solenoid then increases to regenerate a strong propulsion force. A duration timer circuit reduces the power delivered by the solenoid after a predetermined amount of time. When the flipper begins to slide again, the duration timer circuit is reactivated and the process repeats. Once the player releases the flipper switch, the solenoid is demagnetized and the circuit is reset until the player presses the flipper switch again. In this way, only the force necessary to maintain the desired mode of operation is sent to the solenoid. Therefore, overheating and failure of the solenoid is avoided.

[0007]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring specifically to FIG. 1, the flipper mechanism of the present invention includes a support 3 mounted on the underside of a game board 9. A shaft 11 is rotatably supported by a bearing on the support 3. Therefore, the shaft 11 extends through the opening formed in the game board 9 and is arranged perpendicularly to the game board 9. The flipper 15 is fixed to the end of the shaft 11 so that rotation of the shaft 11 causes the flipper 1
5 rotate at the same time.

The solenoid 17 is fixed to the support 3, and the plunger 21 of the solenoid, which can move forward and backward, is attached to the shaft 1.
1 is placed vertically. A linkage 23 is fixed to the shaft 11 and is pivotally connected to the plunger 21 at a joint 22 . Therefore, plunger 2
The linear reciprocating motion of shaft 11 is converted into a rotational pivoting motion of shaft 11. A compression spring 25 is disposed coaxially above the plunger 21 and when the solenoid 17 is demagnetized, the plunger 21
functions to return to the extended position. solenoid 17
Cooperative with this is a flipper switch 35 (see FIG. 2) operated by the player. The flipper switch 35 excites a solenoid to control the operation of the flipper, and will be described below.

An optical switch 27 is fixed to the support 3, and a link mechanism 23 supports a reflective member 29 extending from the link mechanism, whereby the optical switch 27 detects the presence of the reflective member 29. becomes possible. The movement of the reflective member 29 is linked to the movement of the flipper 15, so that the optical switch 29 actually senses the position of the flipper 15. The function and operation of the optical switch 27 will be described below.

With particular reference to FIG. 2, a control circuit for energizing solenoid 17 is shown in block form. The solenoid 17 is connected to each flipper of the gaming machine as described above and consists of a first power coil 31 and a second holding coil 33 or a single coil with multiple taps. Therefore, the solenoid 17 is energizable to a first number of turns for producing a ball propulsion force and a second number of turns, less, for producing a holding force. In describing the operation of the control circuit, specific reference will be made to dual-coil type solenoids, but it is understood that the output from the control circuit can control the energization of a single-coil type solenoid having multiple taps. Good morning.

Although one or more flippers can be installed in a pinball game machine, a typical game machine is installed with two flippers. Although the control circuitry for one such flipper will be described herein, it will be appreciated that it is preferable to provide the same control circuitry for each flipper.

A player-operated switch 35 for controlling the operation of the flipper is provided on the base of the pinball game machine so as to be operable by the player. When the player closes switch 35, a circuit is completed via line 36, which immediately energizes holding coil 33 and remains energized as long as the player closes switch 35. Closing switch 35 also activates switch sensing circuit 37. The switch detection circuit 37 is a typical NPN transistor switch. One output 37a is connected to the input of the primary timer circuit 40. The other output 37b is the timer reset circuit 3
Activate 9. The timer reset circuit 39 is also an NPN transistor switch.

Timer reset circuit 39 initializes primary timer circuit 40 and sustain timer circuit 41, placing both timers in an active mode. Primary timer circuit 40
can be constructed from one of two timer circuits on a standard 556 dual timer integrated circuit chip. Primary timer circuit 40 also includes any additional auxiliary circuitry consistent with the application of the selected timer chip. This will be readily understood by those skilled in the art of circuit design.

Once the primary timer circuit 40 receives both the signal from the timer reset circuit 39 and the trigger signal 37a from the switch detection circuit 37, the primary timer circuit 40 activates the power output circuit 4 for a predetermined length of time.
Turn on 3. Power output circuit 43 is a typical two-stage transistor amplifier. The first stage is a Darlington transistor and the second stage is a typical PNP power transistor. The primary timer circuit 40 is about 4
It is desirable to turn on the power output circuit 43 for 0 milliseconds. However, the length of time can be changed as desired by selecting different circuit components for primary timer circuit 40. Power output circuit 43 excites power coil 31 for a length of time determined by primary timer circuit 40 .

As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the time delay between the time the player actuates switch 35 and the time power coil 31 is energized is negligible. Therefore, by operating the switch 35, the holding coil 33
and the power coil 31 are excited substantially simultaneously. As a result, the solenoid 17, actuated by the force of both the holding coil 33 and the power coil 31 (or both parts of the multi-tapped solenoid coil) sends enough force to propel the pinball across the playing board. Therefore, quickly pivot the flipper 15.

After a period of time determined by the primary timer circuit 40, the power output circuit 43 is turned off and the power coil 31 is demagnetized, leaving only the holding coil 33 energized. As long as the player continues to press switch 35, retaining coil 33 remains energized, providing a force to the plunger to maintain flipper 15 in a stationary or retained state. In this way, the control circuit of the present invention, like the prior art, reduces the power delivered to the solenoid during the holding or static mode, so that the solenoid does not overheat or become damaged. It won't happen.

When switch 35 is activated for an extended period of time, flipper 15 tends to return to its inactive state, which occurs particularly when external forces are applied to the flipper, such as by a pinball. The control circuit of the present invention can intermittently re-energize power coil 31 to increase the force on flipper 15, thereby avoiding flipper slippage, as discussed below.

Optical switch 27 is energized when reflective member 29 is aligned with the optical switch, ie, when flipper 15 is at rest or held as shown by the dashed line in FIG. In the hold state, the signal generated by optical switch 27 provides a continuous signal to slip detection circuit 45. Slip detection circuit 45 includes a simple RC smoothing network. The output of the slip detection circuit is connected to the trigger input of the sustain timer circuit 41. When the flipper 15 begins to slide, the reflective member 29 begins to separate from the optical switch 27, causing the slip detection circuit 4 to move away from the optical switch 27.
5 activates the maintenance timer circuit 41. If a standard 556 dual timer chip of the preferred embodiment is used for the primary timer circuit 40, the secondary timer of this dual timer chip can be used as the sustain timer circuit 41.

The maintenance timer circuit 41 and the slip detection circuit 45
When the trigger signal from the power output circuit 43 is received, the power output circuit 43
re-energizes the power coil 31, reinforcing the force on the solenoid and keeping the flipper stationary or held. Preferably, the sustain timer circuit 41 is set to count down to 10 milliseconds, during which time the power coil is energized and activated. After the 10 millisecond countdown has elapsed, the power coil 31 is again demagnetized, only the holding coil 33 remains energized, and the slip detection circuit waits again for a signal from the optical switch 27 that the flipper is slipping. . In this manner, the control circuitry of the present invention is able to maintain the flipper in a holding or static state indefinitely as long as the player closes the switch 35 that activates the flipper.

Once the player releases the flipper switch, holding coil 33 is demagnetized and timer reset circuit 39 sets both timers to an idle (neutral) mode such that neither solenoid is energized. If the player closes the flipper switch again, the operations described above will be repeated.

Although the control circuit of the present invention has been described with particular reference to use in a pinball flipper actuation mechanism, it should be understood by those skilled in the art that the solenoid may be required to operate in both a static or holding mode and an actuation or dynamic mode. It will be appreciated that it is possible to use this control circuit whenever there is a need. Although preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed and described in some detail, it is understood by those skilled in the art that the description and drawings are merely illustrative and that the invention is limited only by the scope of the claims. will be understood.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 is a partial bottom view of a solenoid actuating mechanism of the present invention provided below a game board of a pinball game machine.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control circuit of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

15 Flipper 17 Solenoid 21 Plunger 31 Coil 33 Coil 37 Switch detection circuit 39 Timer reset circuit 40 Timer circuit 41 Holding timer circuit 43 Power output circuit

Claims (17)

[Claims] 1. A control circuit for a solenoid having high and low power levels for moving an associated plunger from a first position to a second position and for holding the plunger in the second position. , first means and second means, wherein the first means is configured to cause the solenoid to move the plunger from the first position to the second position at the high power level and to move the plunger to the second position. said solenoid is adapted to actuate said solenoid to maintain said second position at low power levels, said second means detecting undesirable slippage of said plunger away from said second position. and wherein said first means is adapted to temporarily re-energize said solenoid at said high power level in response to said signal. control circuit. 2. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein said plunger is connected to a flipper such that movement of said plunger between said first and second positions causes pivoting movement of said flipper. A control circuit further comprising means for: 3. The control circuit according to claim 1, wherein the first means includes a timer circuit, and the timer circuit is configured to reduce the power from the high power to the low power after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. Characteristic control circuit. 4. The control circuit of claim 3, wherein said first means includes a power output circuit controlled by said timer circuit, said power output circuit energizing said solenoid at said high power level for said predetermined period of time. A control circuit characterized in that: 5. The control circuit of claim 3, wherein said first means includes means for starting said timer circuit. 6. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein said first means includes means for energizing said solenoid at said low power level. 7. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein said second means comprises a second timer circuit, said second timer circuit increasing power from said low power level to said high power level for a predetermined period of time. A control circuit characterized in that: 8. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the solenoid comprises a single coil having a plurality of taps. 9. The control circuit of claim 1, wherein the solenoid has dual coils. 10. An actuating device for a pinball game flipper having a high power level and a low power level for moving a plunger from a first position to a second position and for moving the plunger from the first position to the second position. a solenoid adapted to hold the plunger in the second position; means for connecting the plunger to the flipper such that movement of the plunger causes pivoting movement of the flipper; first means and second means; and; the first means is configured such that the solenoid moves the plunger from the first position to the second position at the high power level and moves the plunger from the first position to the second position at the low power level. The second means is adapted to actuate the solenoid to maintain the plunger in the second position, and the second means senses undesired slippage of the plunger away from the second position and controls the first means. and wherein said first means is adapted to temporarily re-energize said solenoid at said high power level in response to said signal. 11. The actuating device according to claim 10, wherein said first means comprises a timer circuit, said timer circuit being adapted to reduce the power from said high power to said low power after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. Features an actuating device. 12. The actuator of claim 11, wherein said first means comprises a power output circuit controlled by said timer circuit, said power output circuit energizing said solenoid at said high power level for said predetermined period of time. An actuating device characterized in that it is configured to do so. 13. The actuator of claim 11, wherein said first means includes means for starting said timer circuit. 14. The actuator of claim 10, wherein said first means includes means for energizing said solenoid at said low power level. 15. The actuator of claim 10, wherein said second means comprises a second timer circuit, said second timer circuit transferring power from said lower power level to said higher power level for a predetermined period of time. An actuating device characterized in that it is made as follows. 16. The actuator of claim 10, wherein the solenoid has dual coils. 17. The actuator of claim 10, wherein the solenoid comprises a single coil with a plurality of taps.