JPH0749981Y2 - Award ball discharge device for pachinko machines - Google Patents

Description

[Detailed description of the device]

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prize ball discharging device for a pachinko machine in which detection of prize balls and discharge of prize balls are linked by an electric signal.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Generally, in a pachinko machine, a mechanism board provided on the back surface of the main body of the pachinko machine incorporates a prize ball discharging device for discharging a predetermined number of prize balls to a ball tray according to winning of a game ball. It is configured. A conventional prize ball discharging device of this type is configured as shown in FIG.

That is, a prize ball tank 2 is provided on the top of the mechanism board 1, and prize balls are directed from the prize ball tank 2 toward the prize ball outlet 3 so as to meander from the top to the bottom of the mechanism board 1. A prize ball passage 4 is provided for flowing in a line. And
A prize ball case 5 forming a part of the prize ball passage 4 is swingably provided at an intermediate part of the prize ball passage 4.
The prize ball case 5 is sized to accommodate a predetermined number (for example, 13) of prize balls in a line, and in a normal state, a predetermined number of prize balls are provided inside the prize ball passage 4 in a state where the downstream outlet is closed. The prize balls are flown in and the predetermined number of prize balls inside are discharged toward the prize ball discharge port 3 in a state where the upstream entrance is blocked by the swinging motion.

On the other hand, a winning ball discharging mechanism for intermittently discharging the winning balls one by one at the end portion of the collecting trough 6 in which the winning gaming balls (winning balls) are guided to the respective winning openings of the game board. 7 is provided. Then, the prize ball discharged by the prize ball discharging mechanism 7 causes the lever 8 to swing, and the operation of the lever 8 is transferred to the prize ball case 5 via the connecting rod 9 and the link 10. This is transmitted, so that the prize ball case 5 swings.

As a result, each time one game ball is won, a predetermined number of prize balls in the prize ball case 5 are discharged toward the ball tray.

[0006]

By the way, the winning ball discharging mechanism 7 surely discharges a predetermined number of winning balls for one winning ball even when a large number of winning balls are accumulated in the collecting gutter 6. As described above, for example, by rotating the rotary disk 7a having three cutouts at a constant speed by a motor, the winning balls dropped in the cutouts are intermittently fed one by one. There is.

In this case, a certain amount of time is required for the prize ball case 5 to be swung and the prize balls to be discharged, and then to return to the original position and accommodate a predetermined number of prize balls again. , The prize ball case 5 is rocked at a time interval that secures a time for housing the prize ball in the prize ball case 5.
The rotation speed of the rotating disk 7a is set.

However, the award balls flowing from the award ball tank 2 do not always flow smoothly in the award ball passage 4. For example, the award ball passage 4 may be slippery or the award ball may be temporarily clogged. There are also things. In such cases,
The time required for accommodating a predetermined number of prize balls in the prize ball case 5 becomes long, and if the rotation speed of the rotating disk 7a is fixed at a constant speed as described above, the prize ball case 5 There is a possibility that the discharging operation may be performed before a predetermined number of prize balls are housed therein, and thus the conventional one is inferior in reliability.

It is conceivable that the rotation speed of the rotary disk 7a should be sufficiently slowed down to such a drawback, but this does not result in quick discharge of the prize balls even if there is a winning. Problems such as irritating game players occur, and it is desirable that prize balls be discharged as quickly as possible.

Further, in the above-mentioned conventional one, since the winning ball discharging mechanism 7 and the winning ball case 5 are mechanically connected by the lever 8, the connecting rod 9, etc., the structure becomes relatively complicated. The positional relationship between the winning ball discharging mechanism 7 and the winning ball case 5 is limited, and the degree of freedom in design is poor.

The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object thereof is to reliably discharge a predetermined number of prize balls and to increase the degree of freedom in arranging each mechanism. To provide a prize ball discharging device.

[0012]

The prize ball discharging device of a pachinko machine of the present invention is provided in a collecting gutter in which prize balls are guided, and sends the prize balls one by one toward a prize ball detection position. A mechanism, a winning ball detection sensor that detects that the winning ball has passed the winning ball detecting position, and a prize that can be accommodated in a predetermined number of prize balls that are provided in the prize ball passage and flow down from the prize ball tank. A ball storage unit, an introduction mechanism that allows the prize balls to flow into the prize ball storage unit in a state where discharge of the prize balls from the prize ball storage unit is prohibited, and a predetermined number of prize balls are stored in the prize ball storage unit. The accommodation completion detection sensor for detecting that the winning ball and the winning ball detection sensor are stored in the prize ball storing section in a state in which the prize ball does not flow into the prize ball storing section every time the winning ball detecting sensor detects one winning ball. And a discharge mechanism for discharging a predetermined number of prize balls toward the prize ball discharge port. A discharge completion detection sensor that detects that the discharge of the prize balls from the storage unit is completed, and a feed control that operates the feed mechanism on the condition that the accommodation completion detection sensor is detected after the discharge completion detection sensor is detected. It is characterized by the configuration including the means.

[0013]

With the introduction mechanism, the prize balls from the prize ball tank flow into the prize ball storage section through the prize ball passage, and a predetermined number of prize balls are stored in the prize ball storage section. The accommodation completion detection sensor detects that a predetermined number of prize balls are accommodated in the prize ball storage unit. Then, based on the detection of the prize ball detection sensor, the discharge mechanism discharges a predetermined number of prize balls stored in the prize ball storage portion toward the prize ball discharge port. The detection sensor detects that the prize balls have been discharged from the prize ball storage unit, and the discharge mechanism returns to the discharge prohibited state.

In this case, the winning balls are intermittently fed one by one to the winning ball detecting position where the winning ball detecting sensor detects the winning balls by the feeding mechanism. The operation is performed on the condition that the feeding control means detects the storage completion detection sensor after the detection of the discharge completion detection sensor.

Therefore, even if it takes time to store a predetermined number of prize balls in the prize ball storage unit, the discharging operation is performed before the predetermined number of prize balls are stored in the prize ball storage unit. Rather, each time there is one winning ball, a predetermined number of winning balls can be reliably discharged. Further, even if a power failure occurs during the game, the signal from the accommodation completion detection sensor is also cut off during this period, so that the discharge of the winning ball is also interrupted, so that there is no trouble that the winning ball does not come out even if the player wins.

Further, since the operation of the discharging mechanism is performed based on the detection of the winning ball detecting sensor, the detection of the winning ball and the discharging of the winning ball are linked by an electric signal.
The structure is simpler and the degree of freedom of arrangement of each mechanism is higher than that of mechanically interlocking.

[0017]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIGS. FIG. 1 shows the back surface of the pachinko machine, and here, the mechanism board 12 is provided in the pachinko machine body 11 so as to cover the back surface of the game board (not shown). The prize ball discharging device according to the present embodiment is incorporated in the mechanism board 12 as follows.

That is, at the upper end of the mechanism board 12, there is provided a prize ball tank 13 for storing a large number of prize balls A (only a part of which are shown). An upper prize ball passage 14 is integrally formed on the upper part of the mechanism board 12 so as to extend downward and to the right continuously from the lower left end of the prize ball tank 13 in FIG. It is provided in. This upper prize ball passage 14
Is formed into a rectangular tube, and the inside of the prize ball tank 13
The prize balls A from are flowing in a line.

At the lower part of the upper prize ball passage 14, a prize ball case 15 as a prize ball storage section, which will be described in detail later, is provided so as to be continuous with the upper prize ball passage 14, and further, the prize ball case 15 is provided. A lower prize ball passage 16 is provided in the lower part of the. The lower end portion of the lower prize ball passage 16 is continuous with the prize ball outlet 17 that communicates with a ball tray (not shown) provided on the front surface of the pachinko machine body 11.

As shown in FIG. 2, the prize ball case 15 has a rectangular tube shape with both upper and lower ends opened, and a predetermined number (for example, 13) of prize balls A can be housed in a vertical row inside. It is possible. Further, an inflow blocking piece 18 extending rightward is integrally provided at the upper end of the prize ball case 15. A lever 19 extending leftward in the figure is integrally provided at a slightly lower center of the prize ball case 15, and the lever 19 is pivotally supported by a shaft 20.
Therefore, the prize ball case 15 is attached so as to be swingable in the left-right direction about the shaft 20.

The left end of the lever 19 is connected to the plunger 21a of the solenoid 21. As a result, when the solenoid 21 is cut off, as shown in FIG.
As shown in the chain double-dashed line in FIG. 1 or in FIG.
The upper end opening is overlapped with the lower end opening of the upper prize ball passage 14 to allow the inflow of the prize ball A from the upper prize ball passage 14, and the lower end opening is closed by the ball stopper piece 22. Therefore, the discharge of the prize balls A stored inside is prohibited (hereinafter, this position is referred to as a normal position).

On the other hand, when the solenoid 21 is energized, the prize ball case 15 is swung through the lever 19 in the direction of arrow a by a predetermined stroke, and in this state, it is shown by a solid line in FIG. As described above, the lower end opening of the upper prize ball passage 14 is closed by the inflow preventing piece 18, and the prize ball case 1
Inflow of the prize balls A into the inside of the prize balls 5 is prohibited, and the lower end opening of the prize ball case 15 communicates with the lower prize ball passage 16 to discharge the prize balls A stored therein. (Hereinafter, this position is referred to as a swing position).

The solenoid 21 is controlled to be turned on and off by a control device 23 (see FIG. 3) including a microcomputer or the like.
3, the solenoid 21 and the like constitute the introducing mechanism and the discharging mechanism according to the present invention.

On the other hand, the mechanism board 12 is located on the rear surface of the game board, and is a collecting trough 24 for collecting game balls (winning balls B) that have won a plurality of winning openings provided on the game board. Is provided. Then, the winning balls B are guided to the collecting trough 24 and discharged one by one from the winning ball discharging port 24a provided at the lower right portion of the mechanism board 12 in the center of FIG. There is.

A circular bulge 24b is provided at a longitudinally extending portion of the end of the collecting gutter 24.
A feeding mechanism 25 for intermittently feeding the winning balls B one by one toward the winning ball discharge port 24a is provided. The feed mechanism 25 includes a stepping motor 27 (see FIG. 3) which is provided in the circular bulging portion 24b and is provided eccentrically to the right in the figure, and has three notches 26a at intervals of 120 degrees.
It is configured to rotate in the direction of the arrow b in (see).

In this case, the rotary disk 26 has an angle of 60, for example.
It is designed to rotate in one step, and stops when the notch 26a faces upward, and
The winning ball B guided inside fits into the notch 26a, and in this state, the winning ball B is carried downward in the direction of the arrow b, and when the player advances three steps, the notch 2
The winning ball B, which has been fitted into 6a, falls and is discharged from the winning ball discharge port 24a. The part where the winning ball B falls is the winning ball detecting position in the present invention. The step motor 27 is also controlled by the controller 23.

Now, in the prize ball discharging device according to this embodiment,
Three sensors are provided to detect the winning ball B or the winning ball A. That is, first, a winning ball detection sensor 28 including a proximity sensor is provided between the feeding mechanism 25 and the winning ball discharge port 24a. The winning ball detection sensor 28 detects that the winning ball B has passed the winning ball detection position and outputs a detection signal to the control device 23.

The accommodation completion detecting sensor 29, which is a proximity sensor, is located at the entrance of the prize ball case 15.
Is provided at the exit portion of the prize ball case 15, and a discharge completion detection sensor 30 which is also a proximity sensor is provided. The detection signals of the storage completion detection sensor 29 and the discharge completion detection sensor 30 are also input to the control device 23.

As a result, when the prize ball case 15 is returned from the swing position to the normal position, the number of prize balls A flowing into the prize ball case 15 is counted by the accommodation completion detection sensor 29. The fact that a predetermined number of prize balls A are accommodated in the prize ball case 15 is detected.
Further, when the prize ball case 15 is swingably displaced to the swing position, the number of prize balls A discharged from the prize ball case 15 is counted by the discharge completion detection sensor 30. From this, it is detected that the discharge of the prize ball A is completed.

The control device 23, as shown in FIG.
The detection signals of these three sensors 28, 29, 30 are received, and the step motor 27 and the solenoid 21 are controlled based on the detection signals, as will be described later.
At this time, due to the software configuration, the feeding mechanism 25 is operated on condition that the detection of the accommodation completion detection sensor 29 is detected after the detection of the discharge completion detection sensor 30. Therefore, the control device 23 functions as the feed control means in the present invention.

Next, the operation of the above configuration will be described.
Now, normally, the solenoid 21 is disconnected and the prize ball case 15 is in the normal position. In the prize ball case 15, a predetermined number of prize balls flowing from the prize ball tank 13 through the upper prize ball passage 14. A is housed. At this time, the accommodation completion detection sensor 29 detects that a predetermined number of prize balls A are accommodated in the prize ball case 15.

Here, when the game is started and there is a prize,
The prize balls B are collected in the collecting gutter 24 from the back of the game board,
On this collecting trough 24, it flows up to the feeding mechanism 25.
Then, one winning ball B is a notch portion 26a of the rotating disk 26.
The winning ball B is inserted into the arrow b of the rotating disk 26.
It is carried downward by the rotation in the direction, and drops toward the winning ball discharge port 24a when it is half rotated (driven by 3 steps).

At this time, as shown in FIG. 1, the control device 23 drives two steps from the position where the notch 26a of the rotary disk 26 is located at the upper end (this position is hereinafter referred to as the standby position. The disk 26 rotates by an angle of 120 degrees so that a new winning ball B is fitted into the next cutout portion 26a), and it is determined whether or not the accommodation completion is detected by the accommodation completion detection sensor 29. The step motor 27 is driven on the condition that the above condition is met, and the step motor 27 is temporarily stopped unless the accommodation completion detection sensor 29 detects it.

With this, the winning ball B is discharged while the winning ball A is housed in the winning ball case 15, and the winning ball detecting sensor 28 passes the winning ball B at the winning ball detecting position. Detect that. The control device 23 uses the winning ball detection sensor 2
When the detection signal from 8 is received, the solenoid 21 is energized, whereby the prize ball case 15 swings to the swing position, and a predetermined number of the prize balls A stored therein are transferred to the prize ball case 15.
And is discharged from the ball prize tray through the lower prize ball passage 16.

At the time of discharging the prize balls A, the discharge completion detection sensor 30 detects that a predetermined number of prize balls A have been discharged from the prize ball case 15, and the controller 23 turns off the solenoid 21 based on this detection. Then, the prize ball case 15 is returned to the normal position. At this point, the rotary disk 26 is stopped at the standby position described above, and the sending of the next new winning ball B to the winning ball detection position is temporarily stopped.

Then, as the prize ball case 15 is returned to the normal position, the prize ball A newly flows into the prize ball case 15, and the accommodation completion detection sensor 29 detects a predetermined number of prize balls A. Is detected in the prize ball case 15, and the rotary disk 26 is operated based on this detection, whereby the discharge operation of the prize ball A based on the detection of the next prize ball B is performed in the same manner as described above. To be seen.

According to this embodiment as described above, the feeding mechanism 2
Since the feeding operation of the winning ball B to the winning ball detection position by 5 is performed on the condition that the accommodation completion detection sensor 29 detects the accommodation completion after the ejection completion detection sensor 30 detects the completion of ejection. Even if it takes time to store a predetermined number of prize balls A in the prize ball case 15, the discharging operation is not performed before the predetermined number of prize balls A is stored in the prize ball case 15. Individual winning ball B
It is possible to reliably discharge a predetermined number of prize balls A each time there is.

Therefore, since the rotation speed of the rotating disk 7a is fixed at a constant value, the discharging operation may be performed before the predetermined number of prize balls are accommodated in the prize ball case 5. Unlike, it is possible to sufficiently improve the reliability of the discharge of the prize ball A.

Further, since the discharge operation of the prize ball A is performed by the solenoid 21 based on the detection of the prize ball detection sensor 28, the discharge operation of the prize ball as in the conventional case is performed by the lever 8 or the connecting rod 9 or the like. The detection of the winning ball B and the discharging of the winning ball A can be linked by an electric signal, unlike the one which is mechanically linked with the discharging of the winning ball A.

As a result, the structure can be simplified, and compared with the conventional arrangement in which the arrangement of each mechanism is limited, the feeding mechanism 25, the prize ball case 15, and thus the prize ball passages 14, 16 are provided. The degree of freedom in arranging can be greatly increased.

In the above embodiment, the prize ball case 15 serving as the prize ball storage portion is rocked to discharge the prize ball A. However, for example, a predetermined portion in the prize ball passage is a prize ball. The storage part may be provided with locking claws that are pulled in and out by a solenoid or the like at both ends thereof to discharge and store the prize balls. Although the winning ball detection position is located inside the winning ball outlet, it may be provided inside the circular bulge.

In addition, the present invention may be modified in various ways such that the award ball passage and the award ball storage portion may be provided in two rows without departing from the scope of the invention.

[0043]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the prize ball discharging device of the pachinko machine of the present invention, the predetermined number of prize balls can be reliably discharged and reliability is improved. The structure is simple, and the degree of freedom in arranging each mechanism can be increased, which is an excellent practical effect.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a partially longitudinal rear view of a pachinko machine body showing an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a prize ball case portion.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing an electrical configuration.

FIG. 4 is a view corresponding to FIG. 1 showing a conventional example.

[Explanation of symbols]

In the drawing, 11 is a pachinko machine body, 12 is a mechanism board, 13 is a prize ball tank, 14 is an upper prize ball passage, 15 is a prize ball case (award ball storage part), 16 is a lower prize ball passage, and 17 is a prize ball. A discharge port, 21 is a solenoid, 23 is a control device (feed control means), 24 is a collecting gutter, 25 is a feed mechanism, 28 is a winning ball detection sensor, 29 is an accommodation completion detection sensor, 30 is an ejection completion detection sensor, and A is The prize ball and B are prize balls.

Claims (1)

[Scope of utility model registration request] 1. A feed mechanism, which is provided in a collecting gutter in which the winning balls are guided, and sends the winning balls intermittently one by one toward a winning ball detecting position, and a passing mechanism which passes the winning ball detecting position. A prize-ball detecting sensor for detecting, a prize-ball storage unit provided in the prize-ball passage that can store a predetermined number of prize balls flowing down from the prize-ball tank, and discharge of prize balls from the prize-ball storage unit. An introduction mechanism that allows the prize balls to flow into the prize ball storage portion in a prohibited state, a storage completion detection sensor that detects that a predetermined number of prize balls are stored in the prize ball storage portion, and the prize ball detection Every time the sensor detects one winning ball, a predetermined number of prize balls stored in the prize ball storage section are discharged toward the prize ball discharge port in a state where the prize ball does not flow into the prize ball storage section. Discharge mechanism that detects the completion of discharge of prize balls from the prize ball storage unit. An award ball discharging device for a pachinko machine, which comprises a completion detection sensor and a feed control means for operating the feeding mechanism on condition that the housing completion detection sensor detects the discharge completion detection sensor.