JPH0679045A - Pachinko ball discharger - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To rapidly, securely, and automatically release stuck pachinko balls in the guide way, by reversely rotating once a notched disk with notches containing balls and actuating specified times the releasing motion of fitting of a stopper for the notched disc, when the clogging is perceived by a stuck ball monitor. CONSTITUTION:A ball discharge gives off pachinko balls conveyed through guide ways 702a, 702b into a receiving plate in front of the pachinko game board a specified number of balls counted by a discharge sensor 30 by means of a discharging mechanism 719 driven by a pulse motor 750. When the discharge sensor 730 does not output detection signals for a specified time interval although the pulse motor is driven, it is judged that clogging has occurred and sprockets 712a 712b are reversely rotated repeatedly to release clogging. In this way, stuck balls can rapidly and securely be released and a high reliability can be obtained in discharging of balls.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pachinko ball discharging device for a pachinko gaming machine or the like, and more specifically, it prevents ball jamming of the pachinko balls in a guide passage between the storage tank and the like, and has high reliability in discharging the pachinko balls. The present invention relates to a pachinko ball ejecting device capable of obtaining the accuracy and accuracy.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a pachinko gaming machine, a storage tank for storing pachinko balls is attached to the upper part of the back surface of the game board, and this storage tank is connected to a pachinko ball discharging device via a guideway or the like. When a pachinko ball is won, the pachinko ball in the storage tank is sent to the tray on the front of the game board as a prize ball or a rental ball by the pachinko ball discharging device.

Conventionally, as a pachinko ball discharging device as described above, the one described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 63-164977 is known. In this pachinko ball ejecting device, a worm is connected to a motor, a worm gear meshing with the worm is connected to a ball cutting disc (sprocket), and a sprocket is rotated by a motor to send out pachinko balls aligned in a ball passage one by one. It is a thing.

[0004]

In the pachinko ball discharging device as described above, since the pachinko ball waits until discharging in a ball passage such as a guide passage communicating with the storage tank, the weight of the pachinko ball is reduced. Therefore, there is a problem that a ball clogging phenomenon called "ball crushing" is likely to occur due to such reasons. In such ball balls, not only the number of pachinko balls ejected becomes inaccurate, but also the pachinko balls cannot be ejected,
The solution was strongly desired. The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a pachinko ball ejecting device that can effectively prevent ball clogging, and to accurately eject pachinko balls.

[0005]

A pachinko ball ejecting device according to the present invention, which achieves the above object, has a casing having a chamber defined therein, and is rotatably mounted on the casing and has an outer periphery. Semicircular notches for inserting pachinko balls at equal intervals are formed, and a gear-shaped notch disk equipped with a gear in the center and the gear of this notch disk are fitted, and rotation of the notch disk can be prohibited Notch disc stop member, stop member drive means for driving the notch disc stop member, rotating means for rotating the notch disc, guide passage for guiding the pachinko balls to the notch disc, and facing this guide passage. A ball detection means arranged on the lower side of the cutout disk for detecting a pachinko ball sent out by the cutout disk, and the operation of the stop member drive means and the rotation means are started to start the rotation of the cutout disk. Control Payout start control means, counting means for counting a predetermined number of pachinko balls sent by the notched disk rotated by the payout start control means based on the output of the ball detection means, and counting the predetermined number by this counting means. ,
A ball gami monitoring means for monitoring the movement of the ball, and when the ball gami monitoring means recognizes a ball gami, the cutout disk is once reversed and the operation of releasing the fitting of the cutout disk stop member is operated a predetermined number of times. And a ball gam releasing means.

[0006]

In the pachinko ball discharging device of the present invention, when a ball crush occurs, the cutout disc is reversed and the engagement between the cutout disc stop member and the gear of the cutout disc is repeatedly performed to repeat the operation in the guide passage. Give vibration to the pachinko ball. For this reason, the pachinko balls can be shaken by this vibration to eliminate the ball damage, and the pachinko balls can be accurately discharged.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. 1 to 12 show a pachinko ball ejecting device according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the entire pachinko gaming machine seen from the front, FIG. 2 is a rear view of the pachinko gaming machine, and FIG. Is an overall perspective view of the pachinko ball ejecting device, FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view of a main part of the pachinko ball ejecting device, FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko ball ejecting device, FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control system, and FIG. FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing the control process.

1 and 2, 1 is a pachinko gaming machine, 2 is a ball lending machine for lending pachinko balls, and these gaming machine 1 and ball lending machine 2 are integrally assembled. Although not explicitly shown in the figure, the ball lending machine 2 has a ball lending control device, a card reader and the like built therein, and a card insertion / ejection port 211 and various display lamps 220 are provided on the front surface.

This ball lending machine 2 is connected to a ball discharge control device which will be described later, and the ball lending control device discharges a ball based on data magnetically recorded on a prepaid card such as a packy card inserted in a card insertion / ejection slot. A ball lending request signal, a ball lending unit signal, a ball lending completion signal, a ball lending acceptance possible signal (see FIG. 6), etc. are exchanged with the control device 902, and the pachinko ball discharging device 804 lends a pachinko ball. Since the ball lending machine 2 is not directly related to the present invention, detailed description thereof will be omitted below.

In the gaming machine 1, a front frame 5 is attached to a machine frame 4 via a hinge 6 so as to be openable and closable in a one-sided manner. A frame 7 is attached to the back side of the front frame 5 along the frame, a game board 8 is attached to the inside of the frame 7, and a back mechanism 800 is attached to the outside of the frame 7.
The back mechanism 800 is composed of a winning ball processing device 801 that performs a prize ball processing of a pachinko ball, a pachinko ball discharging device 804 according to the present invention, and the like.

The game board 8 is attached to the frame 7 so that it can be replaced by itself. Although illustration and detailed description are omitted, a game area is set in the game board 8, and a variable display device and a winning opening for playing a variable display game of the right occurrence of a big hit game (special game) in the game area of the game board 8. A variable winning device, etc. with an opening is installed. These variable display devices and the like are connected to and controlled by the game board control device 901 (see FIG. 2), and the winning opening is communicated to the winning ball processing device 801 via the winning ball guide gutter or the like.

The game board control device 901 controls the game and is connected to a discharge control device 902 which will be described later. The prize ball data transmission, reception signal and synchronization clock signal (see FIG. 6).
Refer to) and exchange. The game board control device 901 is provided with a probability setting / display switch 901a and a probability setting value display 901b (see FIG. 2).

Reference numeral 5G denotes a key device provided on the right side of the gaming machine 1, and 20 denotes a lamp device 20 provided on the front upper portion of the gaming machine 1. The key device 5G locks the machine frame 4 of the front frame 5 and the edge frame 5B of the glass storage frame 5D. The lamp device 20 has a prize ball discharge display lamp, a rental ball discharge display lamp, and a completion lamp, and these lamps are connected to the ball discharge control device 902 or the game board control device 901. The prize ball discharge display lamp is lit when the prize ball is discharged, the loan ball discharge display lamp is lit when the loan ball is discharged, and the completion lamp is lit when the stop condition occurs.

An opening / closing panel 9 is attached to the front frame 5 below the glass housing frame 5D so as to be openable / closable by a hinge (not shown), and a saucer mounting plate 10A is attached below the opening / closing panel 9. A ball supply tray 9B is integrally formed on the opening / closing panel 9 by resin molding, and a tray 10 for storing the pachinko balls overflowed by the ball supply tray 9B is formed on the front surface of the tray mounting plate 10A. The ball supply tray 9B and the tray 10 are communicated with each other by a pachinko ball discharging device 804 and a downflow gutter 808 (see FIG. 2) which will be described later.

Further, the saucer mounting plate 10A is provided with an operation handle 10B on the front surface at the right side of the saucer 10, and a ball feeding unit and a firing unit (not shown) on the back surface. Although illustration and detailed description are omitted, the operation handle 10B, the ball feeding unit, and the launching unit are connected to a launch drive control circuit 907 (see FIG. 2) to form a pachinko ball launching device, which is on the ball feeding tray 9B. The pachinko ball is fired toward the game area of the game board 8 described above. This firing drive control circuit 907 is a ball ejection control device 90.
2 and is connected to the ball discharge control device 902 to input a firing stop signal (see FIG. 6), the firing of the pachinko ball is stopped.

An operation panel 30 for operating the ball lending machine 2 is formed on the ball supply tray 9B. The operation panel 30 has a conversion button 31 for converting a ball into a rental ball, and a return for discharging a card. A button 32 is provided, and the balance display 3
3 and a ball lendable indicator lamp 34 are provided.
These balance indicator 33, conversion button 31, return button 3
2 and the ball lending indicator lamp 34 are connected to the ball lending control device and controlled, the balance indicator 33 displays the balance of the inserted card, and the ball lending indicator lamp 34 indicates whether the conversion button 31 is valid or invalid. Display and convert button 31
The return button 32 outputs an operation signal to the ball lending control device of the ball lending machine 2 described above.

Further, on the back side of the front frame 5, as shown in FIG.
And a back mechanism 800 including a winning ball processing device 801 and a pachinko ball ejecting device 804.
The game board control device 901 and the ball discharge control device 902 described above.
And a firing control device 907 is provided. Although detailed description is omitted, the winning ball processing device 801 has a safe solenoid 791, a safe sensor 792, and the like. As shown in FIG. 6, these safe sensor 792 and safe solenoid 791 form a ball discharge control device 902. Connecting.

The storage tank 806 stores the pachinko balls that have not yet been discharged, and communicates with the pachinko ball discharging device 804 through two guide paths 807. The storage tank 806 is provided with a replenishment sensor 808 (see FIG. 6) that detects the remaining amount of pachinko balls, and the replenishment sensor 808 is connected to the ball ejection control device 902. The guide path 807 aligns the pachinko balls in a line and guides them to the pachinko ball ejecting device 804.
In FIG. 2, reference numeral 844 denotes a speaker, which produces a sound effect or the like necessary for the game in accordance with the game state such as prize ball discharge.

As described above, the pachinko ball discharging device 804 communicates with the storage tank 806 through the two guide paths 807, and also receives the flow gutter 808 to the supply tray 9B and the overflow gutter 809 which is continuous with the flow trough 808 to receive the tray. Call 10. Although not clearly shown in the figure, a ball draining gutter branches into the flow down gutter 808 from the middle thereof, and an electromagnetic flow path switching valve 58 (FIG. 2) having a ball draining solenoid at the branch part of the ball gutter.
(See) is provided.

As shown in FIG. 6, in the flow path switching valve 58, a ball removal solenoid (denoted by numeral 58 in FIG. 6) is connected to the ball ejection control device 902, and the ball removal solenoid is connected from the ball ejection control device 902. It is energized and operates. The flow path switching valve 58 shuts off the downflow gutter 808 and the ball drop gutter when not energized, and connects the downflow gutter 808 to the ball drop gutter when energized. Although not explicitly shown in the figure, the ball drop trough communicates with the recovery passage of the island facility of the game shop.

Although not shown in FIG. 2, the overflow gutter 809 has an overflow sensor 59 at the upstream portion.
(See FIG. 6) However, the guide trough 807 is provided with a half-end sensor 160 (see FIG. 6) at a predetermined position.
A ball punching switch 161 (see FIG. 6) is provided around 7. These overflow sensor 59, half-end sensor 16
0 and the ball removal switch 161 are the ball ejection control device 902.
Connected to.

As is apparent from the patent application and the like previously filed by the applicant, the overflow sensor 59 is composed of a proximity switch or a mechanical micro switch that operates by magnetic change, and the overflow gutter 809 exceeds a predetermined number. When the pachinko balls have accumulated, an overflow signal is output to the ball ejection control device 902. The half-end sensor 160 detects whether or not a predetermined number or more of pachinko balls are present in the guide path 807, and outputs the detection signal to the ball ejection control device 902. The ball removal switch 161 detects a ball removal rod inserted from the front frame of the gaming machine 1 and outputs a detection signal to the ball ejection control device 902.

As shown in FIGS. 3 to 5, the pachinko ball ejecting device 804 includes four members 7 made of transparent synthetic resin.
01a, 701b, 701c, and 701d are separably joined to form a casing 701. Casing 70
In FIG. 1, the accommodation chamber is defined inside, and the joining portion of the members 701b and 701c and the member 701c and the member 7 are formed.
The guide passages 702a and 702 are provided at the joint with 01d
2b is formed. Reference numeral 703 denotes a ventilation vent for cooling a solenoid, a pulse motor, and the like formed on the members 701b and 701d of the casing 701.

A discharge mechanism 7 is provided in the housing chamber of the casing 701.
10, stopper mechanism 720, two discharge sensors 771
a, 771b and the pulse motor 750 are accommodated.
Further, the guide passages 702a and 702b (hereinafter represented by numbers without subscripts as necessary) correspond to the guide passages 807 corresponding to the two guide passages 807 described above.
The pachinko balls flow down from the storage tank 806. Pachinko balls before being discharged are aligned in the guide passages 702 and stand by. As described above, the guide passage 70
The lower end of 2 contacts the downflow gutter 808.

The discharging mechanism 710 includes two sprockets 7.
12a and 712b, a rotation-preventing gear 713 and a driven gear 714, and these sprockets 712a and 71
2b and gears 713 and 714 are fixed to a shaft 711 that rotatably penetrates the member 701b of the casing 701. Each of the sprockets 712a and 712b (hereinafter, represented by a number without a subscript if necessary) has a plurality of semicircular notches 715 (8 in this embodiment) on its outer periphery so that pachinko balls can be inserted at equal intervals. Formed and sprockets 71
2a corresponds to the guide passage 702a between the members 701b and 701c, and the sprocket 712b corresponds to the members 701c and 70c.
It is arranged corresponding to the guide passage 702b between 1d.

These sprockets 712 are arranged so that the cutouts 715 have a phase difference of an angle (22.5 ° in this embodiment) corresponding to 1/2 of the cutouts 715 in the rotating direction. These sprockets 712 will be described below.
Is driven by a pulse motor 750 to rotate integrally and alternately feeds the pachinko balls fitted in the notches 715 downward. This sprocket 712 corresponds to a notch disk.

The driven gear 714 includes members 701a, 701.
It is arranged between b and meshes with the transmission gear 716. The transmission gear 716 is rotatably supported by a shaft 716 a protruding from the member 701 b, meshes with a drive gear 717 fixed to the output shaft of the pulse motor 750, and transmits the output of the pulse motor 750.

The pulse motor 750 is composed of, for example, a VR type step motor having a multi-phase stator winding, and the stator winding is connected to the discharge control device 902 (see FIG. 6). This step motor 750 is energized with a pulsed current (hereinafter referred to as a pulse) to each stator winding, and its energization method is 1-2 phase excitation or 2-2 phase excitation, as will be described later. The rotation direction is selectively controlled to be forward rotation or reverse rotation. 755 is a cooling fan provided in the pulse motor 750, and this cooling fan 755 rotates integrally with the output shaft of the motor 750.

The rotation preventing gear 713 is fixed to the shaft 711 between the sprockets 712, and its rotation is restricted and released by the stopper mechanism 720. The stopper mechanism 720 is
A stopper 721 that can be engaged with and disengaged from the gear 713, a spring 724 that urges the stopper 721 in a direction that meshes with the gear 713, and a stopper 721 that is the spring 72.
Stopper solenoid 722 that can be driven against the elastic force of 4
And the stopper solenoid 722 has a discharge control device 9
02 (see FIG. 6). The stopper 72 described above
1 corresponds to a notch disk stop member, the stopper solenoid 722 corresponds to a stop member driving means, and the stopper mechanism 72
0, the discharging mechanism 710, and the pulse motor 750 function as a ball gating releasing means.

In the stopper mechanism 720, when the stopper solenoid 722 is energized by the discharge control device 902 and the tip of the stopper 721 is meshed with the gear 713 when it is not energized, rotation of the gear 713 is blocked (indicated by a solid line in FIG. 4). ), And the stopper 721 is set to the gear 71 when energized.
3 to allow rotation of the gear 713 (see FIG. 4).
Medium, broken line). Then, with the stopper mechanism 720 allowing the rotation of the gear 713, the discharging mechanism 710 pays out the pachinko balls fitted in the notches 715 as the sprocket 712 is rotationally driven by the step motor 750.

The discharge sensors 771a and 771b (hereinafter, represented by numbers without subscripts as necessary) are composed of well-known photosensors having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion.
The pachinko balls paid out from the ejection mechanism 710 are detected. These discharge sensors 771 are, as shown in FIG.
It is connected to the ball ejection control device 902 and outputs its detection signal. The discharge sensor 771 corresponds to a ball detecting means.

As shown in FIG. 6, the ball discharge control device 902 has an input filter 78 to which the above-mentioned sensors and the like are connected.
1. Driver 78 to which each solenoid described above is connected
2. It has a CPU 783 for calculating signals, a crystal oscillator 784 for generating a clock signal, and a power supply unit 785 for power supply. The input filter 781 performs waveform shaping of the output signal of the sensor, and the driver 782 controls the CPU 783.
The output signal of the
Reference numeral 83 processes a signal according to a predetermined program to control the discharge of pachinko balls. The ball discharge control device 902 corresponds to a payout start control means, a counting means, a ball gummy monitoring means, and a ball gummy release means. Although detailed description is omitted, the discharge control device 902 is connected to a central management device of a game shop to input a stop signal and the like, and a reset switch 799 is provided on the outer surface (see FIG. 6).

Next, the operation of this embodiment will be described. In this embodiment, the ball ejection control device 902 executes the processing shown in the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 to 11. In the ball discharge control device 902, the process (main routine) shown in the flowchart of FIG. 7 is repeatedly executed every 1 ms by interruption processing when the main body of the gaming machine 1 is turned on.

In the main routine, as shown in FIG.
First, an input process is performed in step S1. In this input processing, for example, logic conversion from various detection switches and chattering prevention processing are performed. As the chattering prevention process, for example, there is a process for preventing chattering by taking into consideration the time constant of noise by performing a process of reading the signals from various detection switches twice by software.

Next, in step S2, it is determined whether or not the power is turned on. If the power is turned on, that is, if the routine is executed for the first time, the process proceeds to step S3 and the stored data in the RAM is erased (RAM clear). And initial setting is performed in step S4. As a result, the working area of the RAM is cleared, the flags are set, the output ports are reset, and the subroutine is initialized. And after this, it will be waiting for an interrupt,
The main routine is step S by the interrupt every 1 ms.
It is repeatedly executed from 1.

On the other hand, if it is determined in step S2 that it is not the first routine execution, that is, if it is the second or later execution, the output process is performed in step S5. In this output processing, processing such as data output to the output port and switching signal output to the solenoid is performed. Then, step S
At 6, the switch input monitoring process is performed. This input monitoring process monitors the input information of each sensor and switch, and specifically, the discharge sensor 771 and the half-end sensor 160.
And the output signals of the overflow sensor 59 and the like are monitored.

Next, in step S7, a ball payout start confirmation condition monitoring process is performed. This ball payout start confirmation condition monitoring process confirms whether or not the conditions for starting the discharge for a prize ball or ball lending are satisfied in the pachinko ball discharge device 804. For example, "a winning ball (safe ball) Confirmation is performed based on data such as "yes" or "there is a ball lending request signal".

In the following step S8, corresponding steps A to S are performed based on the result of the input monitoring process of each switch.
Processing for branching to step G is performed. Then, the following processing is performed in each branch destination step. Step A: Confirm safe balls and confirm purchase. This is because it is necessary to confirm that a safe ball has been generated due to winning, and that the player operates the conversion button 31 to purchase a pachinko ball and a ball lending request signal or a ball lending unit signal is generated. This is because it is necessary to confirm that they have been received.

Step B: Award ball data transmission / reception processing is performed. This is to receive award ball data and, when receiving award ball data, output it. Step C: Perform discharge start processing of prize balls and loan balls. By executing this process, the pachinko ball ejecting device 804 starts operating, and prize balls or lending balls are paid out.

Step D: A pachinko ball ejection process is performed. This process is performed in order to prevent ball clogging by slowing down the operation of the pachinko ball ejecting device 804 immediately before the number of ejected pachinko balls reaches the specified number. Step E: Perform discharge end processing. By this ending process, the operation of the pachinko ball discharging device 804 is stopped, and the payout of the prize ball or the rental ball is ended. The processing of steps D and E described above will be described in detail later.

Step F: Safe ball payout and wait processing are performed. In this processing, the safe solenoid 79 of the winning ball processing apparatus 801 is completed at the time when the discharge of the winning balls is completed.
When 1 is turned on once to eject only one safe ball this time, and when the next prize ball is continuously paid out, a certain wait time is provided between the ball ejecting operations for smooth operation. The discharge operation is executed.

Step G: A ball removing process is performed. this is,
This is for discharging the pachinko balls existing in the back mechanism 800 such as the storage tank 806 to the recovery flow path of the island facility by operating the ball pulling solenoid 58. When the ball punching operation is performed, that is, the game machine 1 is operated by a staff member. When the ball punching switch 161 detects that the ball punching rod has been inserted into the operation hole on the front side of, the pachinko ball discharge path is switched and the downflow gutter 808 is communicated with the ball cutting trough.

After any one of the steps A to G, the process proceeds to step S20 to control various solenoids. This is to set the drive information of the corresponding solenoid according to a predetermined step state. In particular, in this step S20,
When the above-described branching step is a process related to the discharge of pachinko balls, the stopper solenoid 722 of the stopper mechanism 720 is energized to disengage the stopper 721 from the gear 713, and the pachinko balls can be discharged. Next, in step S21, control processing of the pulse motor 750 is performed. This controls the drive phase of the pulse motor and controls its rotation. The control processing of these steps S20 and S21 will be described later.

Next, a subroutine for executing each processing of step D, step E and step 21 in the above main routine will be described. As shown in FIG. 8, the subroutine of step D first determines whether or not the number of pachinko balls ejected by the ejection mechanism 710 in step S30 is in a state in which “−1” is subtracted from the prescribed number. For example, if 15 prize balls are to be ejected, the “regular number = 15”, and in step S30 it is determined whether or not the number of ejected pachinko balls is the 14th.

Then, the determination result of step S30 is No.
If (for example, less than 14th), the process returns to the main routine. This sets the operating speed of the pachinko ball ejecting device 804 to the normal state until it reaches the 14th ball, and when it reaches the 14th immediately before stopping, slows down the operating speed and delays the ejection of the 15th pachinko ball. This is for preventing the ball damage and accurately stopping the pulse motor 750.

The determination result of step S30 is Yes.
If (for example, the 14th time), step S3
The process proceeds to 1 and the branch step in the main routine is set to "E", and the process returns to the main routine. This allows
After returning to the main routine, the process of step E (discharge end process) is performed.

The subroutine of step E is shown in FIG.
First, in step S40, it is determined whether or not the number of pachinko balls ejected by the ejection mechanism 710 is the prescribed number of ejected balls. If the number is (Y), the process proceeds to step S41. In step S41, the branch step in the main routine is set to "F". Then, as will be described later, the process of step F (safe ball payout and wait process) is performed when the process returns to the main routine by setting the branch step to "F".
The safe solenoid 791 is energized. That is, when the discharge of the specified number of prize balls is completed, the safe solenoid 791 of the winning ball processing device 801 is turned on once, and only one safe ball this time is discharged.

Then, in step S42, a wait timer is set. This is to set a timer for counting the wait time, although a fixed wait time is provided when prize balls are paid out continuously. For example, 200 ms is set as the wait time. With the setting of the wait time, when the prize balls are continuously paid out, the start of the pachinko ball discharging operation is delayed by an amount corresponding to a certain wait time.

Further, in the solenoid control process of step S20, a subroutine shown in FIG. 10 is executed. First, in step S101, it is determined whether or not the processing of the branch step in the main routine this time is steps C, D, E, and G, that is, whether or not the processing is related to the discharge of pachinko balls. If it is determined that the process is related to discharge (Yes), the process from step S102 is executed, and if not the process related to discharge (No), the process from step S107 is executed. In step S102, the ON information of the stopper solenoid 722 is set to drive the stopper solenoid 722, and in step S107, the OFF information of the stopper solenoid 722 is set to stop the energization of the stopper solenoid 722.

In the following step S103,
It is determined whether or not the process of the branching step is step G, that is, the punching process, and if it is the punching process (Yes).
After executing the processing of step 104, step S106
Processing is performed, and if it is not the punching processing (No), the processing of step S105 is performed, and then the processing of step S108 is performed. In step S104, ON information of the ball-punching solenoid 58 is set to energize the ball-punching solenoid 58, and in step S105, OFF information of the ball-punching solenoid 58 is set to stop energizing the ball-punching solenoid 58.

In step S106, it is determined whether or not the stopper solenoid 722 is off timing, and if it is off timing (Yes), the process of step S107 is performed and the process proceeds to step S108. If it is not off timing (No) step The process of S108 is performed. In step S107, the OFF information of the stopper solenoid 722 is set as described above.

In step S108, it is determined whether or not the branch step is step F. If the branching step is step F (Yes), step S109
To set the ON information of the safe solenoid 791 to energize the safe solenoid 791. If the branch step is not step F (No), the OFF information of the safe solenoid 791 is set to drive the safe solenoid 791 in step S110. To stop.

Furthermore, in the pulse motor control processing of step S21, the subroutine shown in FIG. 11 is executed.
First, in step S50, a ball crush process is performed. As described below, the pachinko ball is guided by the pachinko ball 702 in the ball degumming process.
And the like, and whether or not the pachinko ball is bitten by the sprocket 712 is monitored, and if the ball is jammed or bites into the sprocket 712, processing for eliminating it is performed. Is to do.

Next, in step S51, it is determined whether or not there is a reset wait flag. If the reset wait flag is set (Yes), the process returns to the main routine, and if there is no reset wait flag (N).
o) The process of step S52 is performed. As will be described later, this reset wait flag is set when the ball game is not released in the ball game process of step S50.

In step S52, it is determined whether or not the ball gami flag is set. If the ball gami flag is set (Yes), the process of step S64 described later is performed, and if the ball gami flag is not set. (N
o) The process of step S53 is performed. As will be described later, this ball gami flag is used when it is determined that a ball clogging of the game ball in the guide passage 702 or the like or the biting of the game ball into the sprocket 712 occurs in the ball gamming process of step S50, that is, the ball gami. It is set when it is determined to be the occurrence state.

In step S53, the processing of the branch step in the main routine this time is performed in step C,
It is determined whether the processing is D, E, or G, that is, whether the processing is related to the discharge of pachinko balls. And
If it is not the discharge process (No), OFF data is set in step S54 to not energize the pulse motor 750, and if it is the discharge process (Yes), step S55.
The process of is executed.

In step S55, it is determined whether or not the pulse control timer is 0, and the pulse control timer is 0.
If not, the process of step S63 is performed after updating the timer in step S56, and if it is determined that the pulse control timer is 0, that is, the update time of the pointer (described below) has expired, the process of step S57 is performed.

Here, the pulse control timer counts the update time of the pointer of the motor control data for controlling the drive phase of the pulse motor 750, and the motor control data is the time for the phase control of the pulse motor 750. It is dynamic data. This motor control data is designated by a plurality of pointers (four pointers “1” to “4” are illustrated), and when the pulse motor 750 is rotated in the normal direction, the pointer is moved in the forward direction (“1” → “4”). When the pointer is incremented and reversed, the pointer moves in the opposite direction ("4" →
Decremented to "1").

In step S57, it is determined whether or not the branch step of the main routine to be executed this time is step E, that is, whether or not the discharge end process is being performed. Then, if it is not the discharge end process (No), the timer 1 is set in step S58 and the process of step S61 is performed. If it is the discharge end process (Yes), the timer 2 is set in step S59 and then in step S60. Set the motor control pointer to "+
Increment by 1 ”. Since the timer 1 counts up the pointer update time at a timing faster than that of the timer 2, the rotation speed of the pulse motor 750 becomes slow in the case of the discharge end processing, and the pachinko balls can be prevented from being caught in the sprocket 712. .

In step S61, it is determined whether or not the branch step of the main routine to be executed this time is step C, that is, whether or not it is the discharge start process. In this step S61, if it is determined to be the discharge start process (Yes), the motor control pointer is decremented by "-1" in the step S62, and if it is determined that it is not the discharge start process (N
o) In step S60, the motor control pointer is incremented by "+1".

In the following step S63, whether or not the branch step of the main routine to be executed this time is step D,
That is, it is determined whether or not it is a discharge process. If it is not the discharge process (No), that is, the branching steps are C, E,
If it is any one of the G discharge start process, discharge end process, and punching process, the 2-2 phase table is set in step S64. If the discharge process is (Yes), the 1-2 phase table is set in step S65. set. These tables set the pulse application method to the pulse motor 750, that is, the energization method of the multi-phase winding. When the 1-2 phase table is set, the 1-2 phase excitation and the 2-2 phase table are set. When set, 2-2 phase excitation is performed.

By performing steps S63, S64, and S65 described above, in the case of the discharging process, that is, when the pulse motor 750 is driven by the 1-2 phase excitation during the rotation of the pulse motor 750 and is not the discharging process. , That is, 2 at the beginning or end of rotation of the pulse motor 750.
The pulse motor 750 is driven by the −2 phase excitation. Therefore, at the beginning or end of rotation of the pulse motor 750, a large torque can be obtained in the output of the pulse motor 750 to ensure smooth rotation.
It is possible to reduce the heat generation amount of the pulse motor 750 during the rotation of 50.

Next, in step S66, control data such as the drive phase of the pulse motor 750 is calculated by the motor control pointer, and the control data calculated in the following step S67 is set in the output buffer and output. Then, upon completion of step S67, the process returns to the main routine.

The ball degumming process in step S50 is performed by executing the routines shown in FIGS. First,
As shown in FIG. 12, in step S70, it is determined whether or not there is a reset wait flag, and if the reset wait flag is set (Yes), the processes from step S71 to step S73 are performed to perform the pulse motor control process. If the reset wait flag is not set (No), the process of step S74 and subsequent steps is executed. The reset wait flag will be described later.

In step S71, the reset switch 7
If it is determined that the reset switch 799 has been reset (Yes).
s), the reset wait flag is cleared in step S72, and when it is determined that the reset switch 799 has not been reset (No), each motor and each solenoid is turned off in step S73. Then, after the completion of step S73, the process returns to the subroutine (pulse motor control process). Note that, as described above, the reset switch 799 is turned on by a staff member when resetting the operation of the pachinko gaming machine 1.

In step S74, it is determined whether or not the pachinko balls are being ejected. If they are being ejected (Yes), the process proceeds to step S75, and if they are not being ejected (No), the process proceeds to step S78. In step S75, the discharge sensor 771
Whether or not the detection signal of is input is determined. When it is determined that the detection signal of the discharge sensor 771 is not input (N
o), that is, the emission sensor 7 even though it is being emitted
If the detection signal is not input from 71, it is determined that an abnormality has occurred, and the monitoring flag is set in step S76. Also,
When the detection signal of the discharge sensor 771 is input (Yes
s), the number of tries and the number of repetitions are cleared in step S77, and the monitoring flag is cleared in subsequent step S78.
As will be described later, the number of repetitions is defined as the number of times the pulse motor 750 is repeatedly rotated forward and backward, and one try is defined with this number of repetitions as a specified number.

Next, in step S79, it is determined whether or not the monitoring flag is set. Then, in this step S79, when it is determined that the monitoring flag is set (Yes), the process proceeds from step S80 to step S83 and then the process proceeds to step S85, and the monitoring flag is not set. If it is determined (No), the process proceeds to step S85 after performing the process of step S84. In step S84, the monitoring timer is cleared, assuming that the above-mentioned abnormal state has been resolved.

Further, in step S80, the monitoring timer is updated, and in the following step S81, it is determined whether or not the count time of the monitoring timer has reached the specified time. This step S
In 81, when the count time of the monitoring timer reaches the specified time, that is, the discharge sensor 77
If the abnormal state in which the detection signal is not input from 1 continues for the specified time (Yes), it is determined that a ball gami has occurred and the ball gami flag is set in step S82, and then step S
At 83, the upper limit of the monitoring timer is set. If the monitoring timer has not reached the specified time (No), step S
Proceed to 85.

In step S85, as shown in FIG. 13, it is determined whether or not the ball damage flag is set. If the ball damage flag is not set (No), the process returns to the pulse motor control processing subroutine, If the ball gami flag is set (Yes), step S8
In step 6, it is determined whether the rotation direction of the pulse motor 750 is the forward rotation timing.

Then, in this step S86,
If it is determined to be the forward rotation timing (Yes), step S
After incrementing the motor control pointer by "+1" at 87, at step S88 the stopper solenoid 722
ON information is set to energize the solenoid 722, and if it is determined to be the reverse rotation timing (No), the motor control pointer is decremented by "-1" in step S89, and then the stopper solenoid OFF information is set in step S90. Then, the power supply to the solenoid 722 is stopped. Then, in step S91, the number of repetitions of the forward / reverse rotation of the pulse motor 750 is updated.

Steps S87 to S9 described above
By repeatedly executing the processing up to 0, the sprocket 712 repeats forward and reverse rotation, and the stopper mechanism 72
0 means that the stopper 721 contacts the gear 713 every time the reverse rotation is made,
Pachinko balls staying in the guide passage 702 or the like are swung. That is, the pachinko balls staying in the guide passage 702 and the like are swung by the sprockets 712 and the like in a state in which the ball gami flag is set and it is determined that the ball gami has occurred. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate the ball damage. In particular, as will be described later, the forward and reverse rotations of the sprocket 721 described above are repeated a prescribed number of tries with a predetermined number of iterations as one try, so that the ball damage can be reliably eliminated.

Next, in step S92, it is determined whether or not the number of iterations has reached the prescribed number, and if the number of iterations has not reached the prescribed number (No), the process returns to the subroutine, and the number of iterations reaches the prescribed number. If it has reached (Ye
s) Clear the number of iterations counted in step S93. Here, if the number of iterations has not reached the specified number, the process returns to the subroutine and the step S70 is performed again.
Since the process from 1 is repeated, if the detection signal of the discharge sensor 771 is input on the way and it is determined that the ball defect has been eliminated (see step S75), the above-described iterative process is interrupted. Therefore, prompt discharge is achieved without repeating unnecessary repetition.

Subsequently, the monitoring timer is cleared in step S94, the number of tries is updated in step S95, and it is determined in step S96 whether the number of tries reaches the specified number. In this step S96, if it is determined that the number of tries has not reached the specified number (No), the process returns to the subroutine, and if it is determined that the number of tries has reached the specified number (Yes), the number of tries in step S97. After clearing, the reset wait flag is set in step S98. Then, as described above, when the reset wait flag is set, the energization of all motors, solenoids, etc. is stopped until the reset switch 799 is turned on (see steps S71 to S73). The above-mentioned number of tries is defined with the specified number of iterations as one try.

As described above, in the pachinko ball discharging device of this embodiment, when the pachinko balls are clogged in the guide passage 702 or the like, or when the pachinko balls are caught in the sprocket 712, etc. When a ball jam occurs, the sprocket 712 is repeatedly rotated in the normal and reverse directions, and at the same time, the stopper 721 is engaged with and disengaged from the gear 713, and the pachinko ball is shaken. For this reason, it is possible to eliminate the ball damage automatically and quickly,
The pachinko balls can be discharged properly and smoothly.

The pachinko ball ejecting device of this embodiment judges that a ball gami has occurred because it is judged that the ball gami has occurred when the discharge sensor 771 does not output the detection signal for a predetermined time even during the discharging. No special sensor is required, and the simplification of the configuration can be achieved.

Further, the pachinko ball ejecting apparatus of this embodiment reads the detection signal of the ejection sensor 771 at the time of execution of each routine, that is, constantly monitors the detection signal of the ejection sensor 771 and detects the detection signal from the ejection sensor 771. When the input is made, the ball gummy recovery operation is interrupted, so that an unnecessary recovery operation is not performed and prompt discharge is achieved.

In the embodiment described above, the discharging mechanism 71
0 has two sprockets 712, and a pulse motor 75 as an actuator of the ejection mechanism 710.
Although 0 is used as an example, it is needless to say that the present invention can be applied to a plurality of or one sprocket regardless of the number of sprockets, and can also be applied to one using a normal motor as an actuator.

[0078]

According to the pachinko ball discharging device of the present invention, when the ball jamming state of the pachinko ball occurs, the notch disc is rotated forward and backward and the notch disc stop member is repeatedly engaged with the gear of the notch disc. In this case, since the ball gummy recovery operation to be released is repeatedly performed, the ball gummy can be promptly and surely eliminated, and the pachinko balls can be discharged with high reliability.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a pachinko gaming machine to which a pachinko ball discharging device according to an embodiment of the present invention is applied, as seen from diagonally front.

FIG. 2 is a back view of the pachinko gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the entire pachinko ball ejection device.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a main part of the pachinko ball ejection device.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the pachinko ball ejection device.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a control system of the same pachinko ball ejection device.

FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a main routine of the pachinko ball ejection device.

FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing a subroutine of the pachinko ball ejecting device.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing another subroutine of the pachinko ball ejecting device.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing another subroutine of the pachinko ball ejecting device.

FIG. 11 is a flowchart showing still another subroutine of the pachinko ball ejection device.

FIG. 12 is a flowchart showing a part of still another subroutine of the pachinko ball discharging device.

FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing the rest of the subroutine of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Gaming Machine 701 Casing 702, 702a, 702b Guide passage 710 Discharging mechanism 712, 712a, 712b Sprocket (notch disc) 713 Gear 715 Notch 720 Stopper mechanism 721 Stopper (notch disc stop member) 720 Stopper solenoid (stop member driving means) 750 Pulse motor 771, 771a, 771b Ejection sensor (ball detection means) 783 CPU (pulse motor rotation control means) 804 Pachinko ball ejection device 902 Ball ejection control device

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A casing having a chamber defined therein, a rotatably mounted to the casing, and semicircular notches into which pachinko balls are fitted at equal intervals on the outer periphery, and the casing is formed at the center. A gear-shaped notch disc provided with a gear, a notch disc stop member that is fitted to a gear of the notch disc and is capable of prohibiting rotation of the notch disc, and a stop member driving means that drives the notch disc stop member, Rotating means for rotating the cutout disc, a guide passage for guiding the pachinko ball to the cutout disc, and a pachinko ball sent out by the cutout disc, which is arranged on the lower side of the cutout disc facing the guide passage. A ball detection means, a payout start control means for controlling the start of the operation of the stop member drive means and the turning means to start the turning of the cutout disk, and the cutout rotated by the payout start control means. disk Counting means for counting a predetermined number of pachinko balls sent out from the ball detection means, ball gama monitoring means for monitoring the movement of the ball while counting a predetermined number by the counting means, and this ball gama monitoring means When it is recognized as a ball gami by the above, the pachinko ball is provided with a ball gami releasing means for temporarily reversing the notched disk and activating the operation of releasing the fitting of the notched disk stopping member a predetermined number of times. Ejection device.