JPH07103287A - Chain structure - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To ensure complete disposition without an excessive effort so as to meet stereoscopic roughness and complete transmission of power. CONSTITUTION:This is a chain structure formed out of multiple unit chains which are serial-linked into a band form. A unit chain consists of a chain piece 41, a pair of supporting shafts 42 which are mounted on both ends of the chain piece 41 and extend in an orthogonal direction against each other, and a pair of rollers 43 which are mounted around these supporting shafts 42 so as to make free rotation. One unit chain and an adjoining unit chain are linked with each other through a pair of supporting shafts 42, and the dimension of the diameter formed by the chain units is set so that the peripheral surfaces of the rollers 43 may be exposed outward from both width-direction side faces of the chain piece 41. The unit chain is formed out of synthetic resin.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a structure of a chain used for transmitting a driving force or transferring an object to be transferred.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art A chain is a kind of rope formed by adding a large number of rings and link plates, and is widely used for driving force transmission of a winding transmission device. Although it is heavier than other types of wire rope or belts, it has the characteristics of good flexibility, easy length adjustment, and reliable power transmission. is doing. It is widely used in various places because of its high reliability, especially when it is necessary to surely synchronize power transmission.

Usually, the chain is wound around a sprocket provided on the driving rotary shaft and a sprocket provided on the driven rotary shaft, and the rotational drive of the driving rotary shaft is transmitted to the driven rotary shaft via the chain. To be used for.

Such a chain is a power transmission system which is particularly useful when the distance between the shafts is long, and it may be applied for the purpose of moving the chain itself instead of transmitting the power to the driven shaft. .

An example of application of such a chain is one used in a racing game machine. A racing game machine sets a model course in a racetrack, car racing, or other stadium imitating the real thing, and on this model course, a plurality of game objects imitating horses or racing cars are run to compete for speed. It is a gaming machine that lets you.

[0006] In such a racing game machine, there is a game machine in which a traveling motor is mounted and the traveling motor is driven to cause the game object to travel in the course. If a traveling motor that can obtain high speed is installed, such a motor is bulky, and if you want to control the traveling state of the game machine, you must install a part of the control device in the game machine. If it does not happen, the game machine becomes large as a whole, a large occupied space is required, and the equipment cost increases.

Therefore, in order to eliminate such inconvenience, a course groove is formed along the course of the model, and a driving force transmitting means such as a chain or a belt is fitted in the course groove to form a loop body. However, it is conceivable that the loop body is circulated and moved in the course by using the driving means provided outside the game body, and the game body is configured to follow the movement of the loop body. . The attraction of the magnet may be used for following the moving body of the game body.

In the loop-body type racing game machine having such a structure, the game machine can be made small because a motor and a control device are not mounted, and the traveling control of the game machine is controlled by the game machine. It suffices to carry out the driving means fixed to the outside, which is convenient for laying the signal line.

[0009]

By the way, in the conventional racing game machine of the loop body driving type as described above, the loop body, which is the driving force transmitting means, slides on the bottom portion and the side wall portion of the course groove. However, since it moves circularly, the sliding resistance is considerably large, and in order to overcome it and move the loop body in a circular manner at a high speed, a considerably large driving force is required for the driving means and the loop body or the course groove is worn. Therefore, the service life is shortened, and frequent replacement of parts occurs.

When the loop body is made of chain, the chain can be bent only on one plane, so that the model course can be formed only in a plane and the actual car race There is a problem that it is not possible to set such a three-dimensional course having a difference in height.

The present invention has been made in order to solve the above-mentioned problems, and it is possible to surely dispose the structure corresponding to a three-dimensional uneven shape without difficulty and to reduce the power consumption. It is intended to provide a chain structure that can be reliably transmitted.

[0012]

A thien structure according to claim 1 of the present invention is a thien structure in which a plurality of unit thiens are connected in series to form a band shape, and the unit thiens include thien pieces. , A pair of support shafts provided at both ends of the chain piece and extending in directions orthogonal to each other, and a pair of rollers rotatably provided around these support shafts, and one unit chain, Another unit chain adjacent to the unit chain is coupled by the pair of support shafts, and the diameter is set so that the peripheral surface of this roller is exposed outward from both side surfaces in the width direction of the chain piece. It is characterized by that.

A thien structure according to a second aspect of the present invention is the thien structure according to the first aspect, characterized in that the unit thien is formed of a synthetic resin.

The chain structure according to a third aspect of the present invention is the chain structure according to the first or second aspect, wherein the chain comprises a disc portion and tooth portions radially protruding from a peripheral portion of the disc portion. It is set so as to be meshed with the tooth portion of the sprocket, and this meshing is performed by fitting the circular arc portion recessed at the tip of the tooth portion into the peripheral surface of the chain roller. It is characterized by that.

The chain structure according to claim 4 of the present invention is the chain structure according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein at least one of the rollers is formed of a magnetic material.

[0016]

According to the thien structure described in claim 1, one unit thien is connected to one unit thien by a pair of support shafts orthogonal to each other. , The unit chain connected to one end of one unit chain and the chain connected to the other end of the unit chain are orthogonal to each other in the planes of rotation about the support axis, and as a result, the chain is on one plane as in the conventional case. It is released from the restriction that it can only be wound, and it becomes possible to install along various three-dimensional paths.

A roller is pivotally supported on the support shaft,
The diameter dimension is set so that the peripheral surface of the roller is exposed outward from both widthwise side surfaces of the chain piece. Therefore, first, when a chain formed by combining a number of unit chains is moved along the guide groove formed in the movement path along the guide groove, one of the rollers is guided. While contacting the side wall surface of the groove,
The other one contacts the bottom surface of the guide groove and rotates, and the chain piece never directly contacts the inner surface of the guide groove. Therefore, the chain can be smoothly moved in the guide groove by the rotation of the roller. In addition, the wear of the chain and the guide groove is effectively suppressed.

According to the chain structure of claim 2,
Since the unit chain is made of synthetic resin, it is possible to reduce the weight of the chain and to smoothly drive it without using lubricating oil.

According to the chain structure according to claim 3,
The chain is set so as to be meshed with a tooth portion of a sprocket having a disk portion and tooth portions radially projecting from a peripheral edge portion of the disk portion, and this tooth engagement is recessed at a tip portion of the tooth portion. This is done by fitting the formed circular arc portion on the peripheral surface of the chain roller. Further, as described above, since the one roller group and the other roller group are alternately rotated on the planes orthogonal to each other, the sprocket teeth are not attached to either the one roller group or the other roller group. The parts can be meshed, and the chain can be stretched along various three-dimensional shapes by appropriately selecting a group of rollers with which the sprockets mesh.

According to the chain structure of claim 4,
Since at least one of the rollers is made of a magnetic material, by attaching a magnetic material that is attracted to the magnetic material to the object to be moved following the movement of the chain, the object is directly coupled to the chain. It will be possible to move it without it.

[0021]

The present invention will be described in detail below with reference to embodiments based on a three-dimensional racing game machine in which the chain structure of the present invention is adopted.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a three-dimensional racing game machine in which the chain structure of the present invention is installed. As shown in this figure, the external appearance of the game machine 1 is a cubic frame 11, a panel portion 12 formed on the outer peripheral edge of the upper surface of the frame 11, and a panel at the center of the upper surface of the frame 11. Part 1
Field portion 13 formed in a state surrounded by 2
It consists of and. In the example shown in FIG. 1, there is provided a display device 14 which is erected so as to project the display surface upward from one side portion of the frame base 11 toward the field portion 13. The device 14 is optional and may not be provided. The entire field portion 13 is covered with a semi-cylindrical transparent dome body 15 made of transparent plastic, and protects various facilities provided on the field portion 13 which will be described later.

The field portion 13 is provided with a racing track (8-shaped flat plate) 2 which is formed in an 8 shape. This track 2 is basically a field part 1
It is formed on the upper surface of the bank portion 21 raised from 3 to a predetermined height. At the intersection of the figure 8 of the truck 2, a tunnel 21a is provided on one bank portion 21, and the other bank portion 21 is tunneled from both sides.
The height is set so as to gradually decrease toward 1a, and the track 2 is in a state where a downward slope is formed.

Then, inside the tunnel 21a provided in one bank portion 21 at the intersection of the figure eight, the other bank portion 21
And a so-called three-dimensional intersection 22 of the track 2 is formed at the intersection. The track 2 of the present invention is not limited to the formation of the bank portion 21, but the track 2 may be formed on the same plane as the field portion 13 and the overpass may be provided only at the grade intersection. Good.

A plurality of courses 23 are provided on the track surface 2a of such an 8-shaped track 2. A racing car R, which is a game body, is arranged in each of the plurality of courses 23, and is designed to be self-propelled under the control of the control device 6 shown in FIG. 7 by a drive mechanism described later in detail. . 1, FIG. 3 and FIG. 7 exemplify the case where the course 23 has 8 articles, but the present invention is not limited to the course 23 having 8 articles, and the course 23 may have less than 8 articles. Good, or 9 or more articles.

On the surface of the panel section 12, a plurality of input sections K for athletes are attached so as to surround the field section 13. The input section K is provided with a numerical value display window 32. Before the game is started, the numerical value display window 32 displays, for example, the combination numbers of the first and second prizes and the betting rate. There is. The player inputs a bet for a desired combination from the input section K in consideration of the above combination and the betting rate. The input device 3 includes a plurality of input units K.

The racing game is automatically started every predetermined time set in advance. Specifically, a timer is provided in the control device, and the time spent for one race is set to this timer. Then, the racing cars R are aligned at the reference position S within this set time, and then start at the same time and self-run,
A racing game is played. The reference position S
Is the tunnel 21a of the overpass 22 in the case of the present embodiment.
Although it is provided at the position shown by the alternate long and short dash line of the upper track surface 2a, it is not limited to this position and can be set at an appropriate position on the track surface 2a.

The speed of the racing car R is set in the control unit based on a statistical calculation in consideration of the betting rate. Therefore, the order of arrival of a racing car R with a low betting ratio is stochastically higher than the order of arrival of a racing car R with a high betting ratio, but as a particular event, the racing car R with a high betting ratio always loses. Not necessarily.

Then, the player, within the set time, before the racing car R starts,
It is possible to participate in a racing game by inputting a bet from the input section K while referring to the betting rate displayed in the numerical display window 32. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, although the eight-sided input section K is provided, even if the eight-sided input section K is not operated simultaneously, that is, even if the number of players is eight or less, or Even if there are no players, the game will start when the time is up.

In addition to the above, the progress of the game may be performed as follows. That is, on the surface of the input section K, a numeric keypad with numbers 0-9 attached,
Numerical value input key 31 including input confirmation key and cancel key
Also, a numerical value display window 32 or the like for immediately displaying the input made by the player is provided, and the player operates the numerical value input keys 31 to input a predetermined bet amount. Then, the betting rate proportional to the reciprocal of the betting amount input by each player is output to the display device 14, and each player refers to the betting rate displayed on the display device 14 to determine the betting amount. It is possible to change and input appropriately.

Then, the game is started by the input operation of the input confirmation key by the participating players. By doing so, the intention of the participating players and the bargaining between the players are reflected in the game, and the racing game can be made more interesting. The game progress control of this type will be described later in detail with reference to FIG.

When the racing game is started, a plurality of racing cars R arranged on each course 23 run on the course 23 in the shape of figure 8 and compete with each other under the control of the control device described later. The racing of the racing car R is stopped when the reference position S on the track surface 2a has been passed a predetermined number of times, and the game ends when all the racing cars R have passed the reference position S of the predetermined number of times. To do. After the end of the game, the order of arrival and the betting rate are displayed on the display device 14.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a guide member for explaining the driving of a loop body made of chains, and FIG. 3 is an explanatory plan view showing a track made of a plurality of courses. FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view of the guide member, the loop body and the sprocket for explaining the drive mechanism of the loop body made of chain. As shown in these figures, the track 2 formed in the shape of a figure 8 so as to intersect the three-dimensional shape is formed by a track plate 24 made of a thin plate-shaped body. A long groove-shaped guide member 25 is attached to the back surface of the track plate 24.

The guide member 25 has a U-shaped cross section, and the guide member 25 is attached to the back surface of the track plate 24 with the U-shaped opening facing upward. . A chain 4 as a transfer means is fitted in the guide member 25, and both ends of the chain 4 are joined to form an 8-shaped ring-shaped loop body 4a.

The chain 4 is formed by connecting a large number of unit chains in series in a band shape. The unit chain includes a chain piece 41 that is a base, a pair of support shafts 42 that connect the chain pieces 41 to each other and extend in directions orthogonal to each other, and a roller that is rotatably supported around the support shaft 42. And 43. Therefore, the pair of rollers 43 pivotally supported by the pair of orthogonal support shafts 42 are rotatable around the support shafts 42 on mutually orthogonal planes including the support shafts 42.

Part of the peripheral surface of each roller 43 projects outwardly from the chain piece 41 in a symmetrical state, and as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the support shaft 42 lies on a horizontal plane. The left and right peripheral surfaces of the one roller 43 that rotates around are in contact with the side wall surfaces 25a of the guide member 25, and the other roller 43 that rotates around the support shaft 42 on the vertical surface has a lower portion. The peripheral surface is the guide member 25.
Is dimensioned so as to abut the bottom surface 25b of the guide member 25, so that the chain piece 41 never contacts the inner surface of the guide member 25.

A large number of such unit chains 4 are connected in series to form the loop body 4a, and the loop body 4a is circulated in the guide member 25 by a drive mechanism provided for each guide member 25. ing. As shown in FIG. 3, the drive mechanism includes a drive motor M provided corresponding to each guide member 25, and a sprocket 5 integrally connected to the drive motor M via a drive shaft 51. Has been done.

Then, the sprocket 5 and the loop body 4 are
and a are meshed with each other through a notch hole 25c formed in a part of the bottom surface 25b of the guide member 25, and the drive motor M is rotationally driven by the drive shaft 51 and the sprocket 5.
Is transmitted to the loop body 4a via.
Therefore, when the drive motor M is rotationally driven, the loop body 4a meshed with the sprocket 5 circulates in the guide member 25 in response to the drive.

In this case, the loop body 4a is the guide member 25.
Even if the roller 43 circulates inside, the roller 43 contacts the inner wall surface of the guide member 25 and rotates, and the chain piece 41 never hits the side wall surface 25a or the bottom surface 25b and slides. While smoothly circulating in the member 25, wear of the inner surfaces of the loop body 4a and the guide member 25 is suppressed as much as possible.

In the drive mechanism configured as described above, the first permanent magnet 44, which is a magnetic body, is provided on the upper surface of the chain piece 41 where the rotation of the roller 43 is not hindered.
Is attached, and a racing car R which is a game body is arranged on the magnet 44. A second permanent magnet R1 which is a magnetic body is also attached to the bottom surface of the racing car R so as to face the first permanent magnet 44 while maintaining a predetermined gap. The first permanent magnet 44 and the second permanent magnet R1 are set so that their counter electrodes face each other. Although the first permanent magnet 44 and the second permanent magnet R1 are adopted as the magnetic body in the present embodiment, only one of them is a permanent magnet and the other is a magnetic body such as an iron piece. May be.

On the other hand, the body of the racing car R is provided with a total of four wheels R2 consisting of front wheels and rear wheels so as to be rotatable about its axis, and the racing car R is attached to the surface of the track plate 24 by these wheels R2. It is arranged so that it can run. Therefore, when the loop body 4a is moved while being guided by the guide member 25, the first permanent magnet 44 is moved.
Moves with it, and the second permanent magnet R1 moves in a state of being guided by the movement of the first permanent magnet 44. Therefore, the racing car R integrated with the second permanent magnet R1 also has a wheel R.
While rotating 2, the surface of the track plate 24 is moved, and a state appears as if the racing car R is traveling on a course divided on the track surface 2a.

The chain 4 and the sprocket 5 that play an important role in the present invention will be described in more detail below with reference to FIGS. 5 and 6. FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a chain according to the present invention, and FIG. 6 is a front view of a sprocket according to the present invention.

First, as shown in FIG. 5, the chain 4 according to the present invention has the chain piece 41, the support shaft 42 connecting the adjacent chain pieces 41, and the support shaft 4 as described above.
It is basically composed of a roller 43 pivotally supported by 2.
A pair of first shaft seat portions 41a opposed to each other at a predetermined interval are formed on one side portion in the longitudinal direction of the chain piece 41, and the first shaft seat portion 41a is formed on the other side portion thereof. A second shaft seat portion 41b is formed which is set so as to be orthogonal to, and is dimensioned so as to have a predetermined distance from each other.

The distance of the gap formed by the pair of first shaft seat portions 41a is determined by the distance between the pair of second shaft seat portions 41.
It is set longer than the distance between the outer surfaces of b. Then, the second shaft seat portion 41b of the other chain piece 41 can be held in the gap of the first shaft seat portion 41a of the one chain piece 41.

A pair of first shaft seats 41a are formed with a pair of first shaft holes 41c so as to face each other, and mortars are provided at the parts of the first shaft holes 41c which face each other. A locking recess 41c 'is provided. Further, the pair of second shaft seat portions 41b are provided with second shaft holes 41d facing each other, and the locking recesses are formed around the second shaft holes 41d so as to project outward. Ring-shaped locking projection 41d 'corresponding to 41c'
Is projected.

Therefore, the first shaft seat portion 4 of one chain piece 41.
In the state where the second shaft seat portion 41b of the other chain piece 41 is held in the gap of 1a, the locking projection 41 of the latter chain piece 41 is held.
d'is fitted into the locking recess 41c 'of the former chain piece 41, and the two chain pieces 41 are joined to each other.

With the two chain pieces 41 joined to each other in this manner, the center hole 43 is formed in the second shaft seat portion 41b.
The roller 43 in which a is bored is fitted in, and then the support shaft 42 has one first shaft hole 41c, one second shaft hole 41d,
A state in which one chain piece 41 and another chain piece 41 are connected to each other by being inserted into the center hole 43a, the other second shaft hole 41d and the other first shaft hole 41c, and both side ends thereof are caulked. become.

In this case, since the diameter of the roller 43 is set to be larger than the lateral width of the first shaft seat portion 41a and the second shaft seat portion 41b, the roller 43 is supported by the support shaft 42 as described above. The peripheral surface of the roller 43 is in a state of protruding from the chain piece 41 in the state of being pivotally supported. The chain 4 is formed by connecting a large number of chain pieces 41 in this manner, and the loop body 4a is formed by connecting both side ends of the chain 4 in the same manner as described above.

Then, with the roller 43 attached to the chain 4, the first shaft seat portion 41a and the second shaft seat portion 4 are provided on both sides in the longitudinal direction of the chain 4 with the roller 43 as the center.
A pair of meshing holes 45 into which the teeth of the sprocket 5 are fitted are formed between the gears 1b and 1b. The meshing holes 45 are in a state where pairs are alternately formed on the surfaces of the chain 4 which are orthogonal to each other. Therefore, the pitch of the chain 4 is set by the center-to-center distance L1 between the adjacent rollers 43 rotatably supported about the support shaft 42 on the same plane.

As described above, since the rollers 43 whose rotation surfaces are orthogonal to each other are attached to the chain 4 alternately with their peripheral surfaces projecting from the chain pieces 41 to both sides in the width direction, this roller is provided. The peripheral surface of 43 abuts on the side wall surface 25a and the bottom surface 25b of the guide member 25, and the chain piece 41 and the inner surface portion of the guide member 25 do not contact each other, so that the chain 4 and the guide member 25 are effectively worn. In addition to being restrained, the loop body 4a composed of the chain 4 is circulated favorably in the guide member 25.

In the present invention, the chain 4 is manufactured by injection molding using synthetic resin as a raw material. The type of synthetic resin that can be used as a raw material is not particularly limited, and any type can be applied. Examples of such synthetic resins include general-purpose synthetic resins such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, polymethylmethacrylate or polyvinyl chloride.

High-performance engineering synthetic resins include polyamide, polyacetal, polycarbonate, polyphenylene ether, polybutylene terephthalate, polysulfone, polyether sulfone, polyphenylene sulfide, polyarylate, polyimide, polyamide imide, polyether ether ketone or Examples thereof include polytetrafluoroethylene. Considering toughness and durability, it is preferable to use engineering synthetic resin.

By making the chain 4 synthetic resin, it is possible to reduce the weight of the chain, and it can be smoothly driven without the use of lubricating oil, and daily maintenance such as refueling is possible. Effects such as reduction of work can be obtained, and as a result, it is possible to greatly contribute to reduction of equipment cost and operation cost.

Next, the sprocket 5 for moving the chain 4 will be described with reference to FIG. The sprocket 5 is composed of a flat disc portion 52 having a through hole 51 in the center thereof, and tooth portions 53 radially protruding from the peripheral portion of the disc portion 52. The tooth portion 53
At the tip of the circular arc portion 5 that matches the outer circumference of the roller 43.
3a is formed, and the pair of left and right protruding pieces 53b formed on both sides of the arc portion 53a are dimensioned so as to fit into the meshing holes 45 on both sides of the roller 43 formed on the chain 4. ing.

Between the central portion of the circular arc portion 53a formed on the one tooth portion 53 and the central portion of the circular arc portion 53a formed on the other tooth portion 53 adjacent to the one tooth portion 53. The arcuate distance L2 about the through hole 51 is set so as to be equal to the center distance L1 of the adjacent rollers 43 having the same rotation plane attached to the chain 4.
Therefore, if the chain 4 is hung on the sprocket 5 so that the roller 43 is held by the tooth portion 53 of the sprocket 5,
By rotationally driving the sprocket 5, this rotational drive can be transmitted to the circular movement of the chain 4 in the guide member 25.

An example of control of the three-dimensional racing game machine to which the chain structure according to the present invention is applied will be described in detail below with reference to FIG. The control method for the stereoscopic racing game machine is not limited to this example. Figure 7
FIG. 3 is a block diagram illustrating the control system. As shown in this figure, the control system includes an input device 3 for inputting a bet amount provided corresponding to each of the game cars, the racing car R, and a track surface 2a of a racing track 2 of each racing car R. It is basically configured by a passage detection sensor X, which is a magnetic sensor that detects passage of the reference position S set to 1, a display device 14 that displays information about the game, and a control device 6 that controls the progress of the game.

The input device 3 is provided with eight input sections K from the first input section K1 to the eighth input section K8 described above. Numerical value input keys 3
1 and a numerical display window 32 for confirming the input result are provided respectively. And such an input device 3
The input signal from (1) is input to the control device 6 immediately by performing a key operation, confirming the input value (multiplied amount) in the numerical display window 32 and then pressing the confirmation key.

Further, the passage detection sensor X is the same as that shown in FIG.
It is attached to the lower part of the guide member 25 shown in FIG. The passage detection sensor X is composed of a magnetic switch that magnetically detects the presence of a magnetic substance, and includes a second permanent magnet R1.
It is designed to detect the passage of a racing car R equipped with. As the installation position of this passage detection sensor X, the reference position S shown in FIG. 1 is selected. It should be noted that the passage detection sensor X is not limited to the one configured by the magnetic switch described above, but a sensor to which an optical sensor is applied may be applied, and in this case, it corresponds to the light emitting / receiving surface of the optical sensor. When the formed optical path is blocked by the racing car R, the passing of the reference position S by the racing car R is detected.

Then, such a passage detecting sensor X is
Eight pieces 1 to X8 are provided and attached to each of the eight guide members 25 in total. The detection result of the passage detection sensor X is input to the control device 6. Further, the drive motor M for circulatingly moving the loop body 4a in the guide member 25 is the drive motor M1.
~ M8.

Further, the control device 6 includes the input device 3
Bet to calculate the betting rate according to the gaming body traveling control section 61 that controls the start, rotation and stop of each drive motor M based on the input information from the and the detection signal from the passage detection sensor X A magnification calculator 62 is provided.

A program for setting the rotation speed using a random number or the like for determining the start or order of each drive motor Mi and for stopping each drive motor is input to the traveling control unit 61 in advance, and statistically. Based on this method, a control signal for driving the drive motors Mi is output to each drive motor Mi so that the ranking is determined with a probability corresponding to the reciprocal of the betting rate. The rotation number of the drive motor M is set by generating a uniform random number, and using a correspondence between the obtained random number value and a distribution function (normal distribution, binomial distribution, Poisson distribution, or the like), a so-called Monte Carlo simulation method. Has been adopted.

Further, a counter is built in the inside of the traveling control section 61, and the number of times the reference position S of the racing car R detected by the passage detection sensor Xi is counted and stored.

When the number of passages reaches a preset number, a stop signal for stopping the drive of the drive motor Mi is transmitted to the drive motor Mi, and the stop control signals are driven in the order in which they are transmitted. The numbers of the motors Mi are arranged in the traveling control unit 61, and the ranking of the racing car R is determined in this arranged order. Racing car R detected by this traveling control unit 61
The order of is displayed on the display device 14.

As described above, in this embodiment, the track surface 2a
Although the number of guide members 25 formed in the above is eight, the present invention is not limited to eight guide members 25, and may be less than eight or nine or more. Good. Further, in this embodiment, as shown in FIG.
A large display device 14 is provided on the side of the position of the frame 11 of the game machine 1.
However, the numerical value display window 32 of the input section K may be substituted instead of providing such a large display device 14.

Since the control system of the three-dimensional racing game machine of the present invention is configured as described above, first, in order for a plurality of players to participate in the game, the bet amount is input from the numerical input keys 31 of the respective input parts Ki. You can start by typing. Then, when all the input of the applied amount is completed, a signal notifying the fact is input from the control device 6 which has discriminated the fact to the betting rate calculation unit 62, and the betting rate calculation unit 62 receiving the signal calculates the betting rate. The calculation result is displayed on the display device 14.
Is output to.

Then, the player can correct the multiplication amount in consideration of the multiplication rate output on the display device 14, and the final decision of the player is confirmed by pressing the confirmation key. It Therefore, the racing game starts when all the players operate the confirmation key.

When the input operation of the bet amount by all the players is completed and the confirmation key is pressed, the control device 6 sends a start command signal to each driving means to start the game.
When the game is started, the game machine running control section 61 in the control device 6 causes the rotational speeds of the respective driving means to be varied with time.
Based on a statistical method, a drive command signal for driving the drive means is transmitted to each drive motor Mi so that the ranking is determined with a probability corresponding to the reciprocal of the betting rate.

In the case of the present embodiment, the drive command signal is a so-called duty control command signal for controlling the ratio of the active current portion of the pulse current having a constant period, but is not limited to such a signal. Instead of this, the cycle of the current pulse may be changed, or the current value itself may be controlled. Frequency control may be performed using a pulse motor.

The reference position S of each racing car R
When a detection signal from the passage detection sensor X that detects passage of the vehicle is input to the game machine traveling control unit 61 in the control device 6, it is counted each time and the number of passages is stored.

When the passing of the reference position S by the racing car R a predetermined number of times is completed, a signal for stopping the drive of the drive motor Mi corresponding to the racing car R is output from the traveling control unit 61. And the racing car R stops. When all the racing cars R have passed the reference position S a predetermined number of times, the racing game ends at that point. At the end of the game, the game body running control unit 61 stores the order of arrival, and the order of arrival is displayed by the display device 14.

In this embodiment, the display device 14 basically displays the player's bet amount before the start of racing and the finish order of the racing car R after the end of racing. However, the display content of the display device 14 is not limited to the betting amount and the order of arrival, and various guidance items for the player in advancing the game and an image of the actual race during the progress of the racing. May be displayed. By doing so, the game progresses smoothly, and the image projection increases the sense of presence, making it possible to make the game extremely entertaining.

The details of the internal structure of the racing car R and other embodiments of the chain as the transporting means for running the racing car R will be described in detail below. Figure 8
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the internal structure of the racing car R. As shown in this figure, a chassis 7 as a structural member is provided inside the racing car R. A front portion of the chassis 7 is provided with a pair of front brackets 71, 71 projecting upward in the vehicle width direction. And
Support holes are bored in the pair of front brackets 71, 71, and the front wheel axle 72 is rotatably inserted around the shaft center in these support holes. Such front wheel axle 7
The front wheels 73 of the wheel R2 are fixed to both ends of the wheel R2. Therefore, the pair of front wheels 73, 73 in the vehicle width direction can rotate around the axis of the front wheel axle 72 provided on the front brackets 71, 71.

A pair of rear brackets 74, 74 projecting upward in the vehicle width direction are provided on the rear portion of the chassis 7, and a support hole formed in the rear brackets 74, 74 has a support hole of the wheel R2. The rear wheel axle 75 is inserted. The rear wheels 76 of the wheel R2 are fixed to both ends of the rear wheel axle 75. Therefore, the pair of rear wheels 7 in the vehicle width direction
6 and 76 can rotate around the axis of the rear wheel axle 75.

A through hole 77 for attaching the first permanent magnet R1 to the racing car R is formed in the center of the chassis 7 in the vehicle width direction. Further, in this embodiment, as the through hole 77, a front through hole 77a and a rear through hole 77b located on the center line extending in the vehicle length direction of the chassis 7 are formed. In addition, this through hole 77
Is not limited to two, and may be one or three or more.

The front magnet case 8 is inserted into the through hole 77.
Two magnet cases 81 composed of 1a and a rear magnet case 81b are fitted. The magnet case 81 is formed of a cylindrical body 82, and a magnet loading chamber 84 is formed inside thereof. The outer diameter of the cylindrical body 82 is set to a size that can be fitted into the through hole 77, and an annular flange portion 83 is formed on the upper edge portion thereof. The outer shape of the collar portion 83 is the through hole 7.
It is set larger than the inner diameter of 7. Therefore, in the state where the magnet case 81 is fitted in the through hole 77, the flange portion 83 stops at the peripheral portion of the through hole 77, and the magnet case 81 is prevented from falling downward from the through hole 77. ing.

The magnet loading chamber 8 of the magnet case 81 as described above.
4 is loaded with a flat disk magnet 8 as the first permanent magnet R1. Then, the front disk magnet 81a is loaded with the front disk magnet 8a, and the rear magnet case 81b is loaded with the rear disk magnet 8b. Then, the magnet loading chamber 8
A plurality of locking claws 85 are projected from the inner peripheral surface of the lower portion of the disk 4, and the disk magnet 8 loaded in the magnet loading chamber 84 is prevented from being blocked by the locking claws 85 and falling downward. Has become.

A body B shown by a chain double-dashed line is attached to the chassis 7 to which the wheel R2 including the front wheel 73 and the rear wheel 76 and the disk magnet 8 loaded in the magnet case 81 are attached. R is completed. Therefore, this racing car R is on track 2 of track surface 2a.
When it is placed on the racing car R, the racing car R runs on the course 23 while the wheel R2 rotates while being guided by the driving of the chain 4 located therebelow.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a chain according to another embodiment for running the racing car R. As shown in this figure, the thien 4 is formed by bonding a plurality of unit thiens, and the unit thiens are the thien 4 which is the base.
1, a pair of support shafts 42 that connect the chain pieces 41 to each other and extend in directions orthogonal to each other, and a roller 43 that is rotatably supported around the support shaft 42. The basic configuration is exactly the same as that described above with reference to FIG.

Further, in this embodiment, the roller 43 attached to the second shaft seat portion 41b, that is, the roller 43 which is laterally rotatably supported by the support shaft 42 extending in the vertical direction, is centered at the center thereof. A magnet roller 430 made of a flat permanent magnet having holes 43a is applied.

Instead of the magnet roller 430 being applied to the chain 4, the top surface of the chain piece 41 is previously shown in FIG.
The first permanent magnet 44 shown in FIG. 4 is not attached. The number of the magnet rollers 430 is not particularly limited, but in the case of the present embodiment, two magnet rollers 430, a front magnet roller 431 and a rear magnet roller 432, which are adjacent to each other with the longitudinal roller 43 interposed therebetween, are used. It is provided.

Further, in the case of this embodiment, the front magnet roller 43 is assembled in the state where the unit chain shown in FIG. 9 is assembled.
The distance between the axis of the support shaft 42 that supports 0 and the axis of the support shaft 42 that supports the rear magnet roller 432 is the front disk magnet attached to the racing car R. The size is set to be equal to the distance between the center point of 8a and the center point of the rear disk magnet 8b.

Since the disc magnet 8 mounted on the racing car R and the magnet roller 430 attached to the chain 4 are set so that their opposite poles face each other, the disc magnet 8 is placed on the course 23 of the track plate 24. Racing car R
When the vehicle is placed, the disk magnet 8 and the magnet roller 430 attract each other, and the racing car R runs on the course 23 following the movement of the chain 4.

Since the chain 4 of this example is constructed as described above, it is not necessary to additionally attach the first permanent magnet 44 to the upper surface of the chain piece 41 as in the previous example. Further, by applying a plurality of magnet rollers 430 to the chain 4, the degree of freedom in selecting the setting position on the course 23 of the racing car R is increased, which is convenient.

In the above embodiment, the magnet roller 43 is used.
0 is attached to the chain piece 41 sideways, but the magnet roller 430 of the present invention is not limited to being provided sideways, and the second support shaft portion 41b of the chain piece 41 has a sideways support shaft. It may be attached via 42. By doing so, it becomes possible to effectively move the object having the magnetic substance, which is arranged beside the chain 4, following the movement of the chain 4. Further, all rollers may be magnet rollers depending on the purpose.

[0085]

As described in detail above, in the chain structure of the present invention, one unit chain and another unit chain adjacent to this unit chain are connected by a pair of support shafts orthogonal to each other. A unit chain connected to one end of one unit chain and a chain connected to the other end of the unit chain are orthogonal to each other in the planes of rotation around the support axis, and as a result, the chain is only on one plane as in the past. It is released from the constraint that it cannot be wrapped, it can be installed along various three-dimensional paths, and it can meet all the layout requirements for tensioning chains. The scope of application is greatly expanded.

A roller is supported by the support shaft,
The diameter dimension is set so that the peripheral surface of the roller is exposed outward from both widthwise side surfaces of the chain piece. Therefore, first, when a chain formed by combining a number of unit chains is moved along the guide groove formed in the movement path along the guide groove, one of the rollers is guided. While contacting the side wall surface of the groove,
The other one contacts the bottom surface of the guide groove and rotates, and the chain piece never directly contacts the inner surface of the guide groove. Therefore, the chain can be smoothly moved in the guide groove by the rotation of the roller. In addition, the wear of the chain and the guide groove is effectively suppressed, the energy consumed for moving the chain can be saved, and the service life of the chain and the guide groove can be extended. It is convenient for cost reduction.

When the unit chain is made of synthetic resin, the weight of the chain can be reduced and
It can be driven smoothly without using lubricating oil,
It is possible to obtain effects such as reduction of daily maintenance work such as refueling, and as a result, it is possible to greatly contribute to reduction of equipment cost and operation cost.

The chain is set so as to be meshed with a tooth portion of a sprocket having a disk portion and tooth portions radially protruding from the peripheral portion of the disk portion, and this meshing is the tip of the tooth portion. If it is configured so that the arcuate part that is recessed in the part is fitted into the peripheral surface of the chain roller, one roller group and the other roller group can be rotated alternately on mutually orthogonal planes. Therefore, the tooth portion of the sprocket can be engaged with either one roller group or the other roller group. As a result, the chain can be stretched along various three-dimensional shapes by appropriately selecting the group of rollers with which the sprockets mesh.

If the roller is made of a magnetic material, the magnetic material attracted to the magnetic material is attached to the object to be moved following the movement of the chain.
It makes it possible to move the object without being directly connected to the chain.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a three-dimensional racing game machine to which a chain structure according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a guide member for explaining driving of a loop body made of chain.

FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a track including a plurality of courses.

FIG. 4 is a partially cutaway perspective view of a guide member, a loop body and a sprocket for explaining a driving mechanism of a loop body made of chain.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a chain according to the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a sprocket according to the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram illustrating a control system of a three-dimensional racing game machine to which the chain structure according to the present invention is applied.

FIG. 8 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the internal structure of the racing car.

FIG. 9 is an exploded perspective view showing a chain according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Game machine 11 Frame part 12 Panel part 13 Field part 14 Display device 2 Track 2a Track surface 21 Bank part 22 Overpass 23 Course 24 Track plate 25 Guide member 25a Side wall surface 25b Bottom surface 25c Cutout hole 3 Input device K input part 31 Numerical input key 32 Numerical display window 4 Chain 4a Loop body 41 Chain piece 41a First shaft seat 41b Second shaft seat 41c First shaft hole 41c 'Locking recess 41d Second shaft hole 41d' Locking convex 42 Support Shaft 43 Roller 43a Center hole 44 First permanent magnet 45 Engagement hole 5 Sprocket 51 Through hole 52 Disc part 53 Tooth part 53a Arc part 53b Projecting piece 6 Control device 61 Game machine running control part 62 Betting ratio calculation part 7 Chassis 71 Front bracket 72 front wheel axle 73 front wheel 74 rear bracket 75 rear wheel axle 6 rear wheel 77 through hole 8 disc magnets 81 magnet case 82 cylindrical body 83 the flange portion 84 magnet loading chamber 85 locking claw B body R racing car R1 first permanent magnet R2 wheel M drive motor X passage detecting sensor

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A chain structure in which a plurality of unit chains are connected in series and formed in a strip shape, wherein the unit chains are provided at both ends of the chain and the extending directions thereof are orthogonal to each other. A pair of supporting shafts and a pair of rollers rotatably provided around these supporting shafts, and one unit chain and another unit chain adjacent to the unit chain are the pair of supporting shafts. The chain structure is characterized in that the diameter is set so that the peripheral surfaces of the rollers are exposed outward from both side surfaces in the width direction of the chain piece. 2. The thien structure according to claim 1, wherein the unit thien is formed of a synthetic resin. 3. The chain is set so as to be meshed with a tooth portion of a sprocket including a disc portion and tooth portions radially protruding from a peripheral edge portion of the disc portion, and this meshing is performed by the tooth portion. 3. The chain structure according to claim 1 or 2, wherein an arcuate portion recessed at the tip of the chain is configured to be fitted into the circumferential surface of the roller of the chain. 4. The chain structure according to claim 1, 2 or 3, wherein at least one of the rollers is made of a magnetic material.