JPH0757265B2 - Game machine drive structure - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a video game machine in which a player sits on a seat and operates a game according to a game screen, and more particularly to a drive mechanism for moving the game machine.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a video game machine in which a game operation can be performed while watching a game screen on a seat, the game machine main body side is operated by a player according to the operation performed by a player with the diversification and sophistication of the video game machine. There is an increasing need for game consoles that provide a more realistic feel, such as moving forward, backward, or moving up and down in synchronization with the screen.

[0003]

The types of movements in the above-mentioned game machine include movements such as forward and backward movements, left and right movements, ascending and descending movements, and turning movements. Normally, in one game machine, The game was developed with one or two types of movements. Therefore, there is a limit to the range of motion linked to the game screen, and it is not possible to give the player a sufficient sense of presence. On the other hand, if a number of operating mechanisms are stacked in order to have various types of operating mechanisms in order to solve the above contents, the game machine itself becomes large and the player's seat is arranged at a high position. However, problems such as lack of stability and safety were considered.

The entire operating mechanism for performing each operation,
That is, since the drive unit in the game machine is designed and manufactured in each case according to the main body of the game machine, the production efficiency is poor. The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and allows a game machine to perform three-dimensional and rotational motions in accordance with a game screen to give a more realistic sensation to a player, and according to the game content. Each operating means can be removed, and the drive section can be shared.
Or, it is an object of the present invention to provide a drive mechanism for a game machine that allows the player's seat to be set relatively low.

[0005]

The invention according to claim 1 is
In the game machine that operates according to the operation of the game screen and moves the game machine body in response to the operation, moving means for moving to the front, rear, left and right at the lower part of the game machine body,
It is composed of a laminating means for laminating the respective operating means in three layers with a turning means for performing a turning operation and an elevating means for performing an ascending / descending operation, and with the swiveling means interposed between the moving means and the elevating means. Each layer can be removed according to the content of the game.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the moving means includes moving rails having a paired structure in the front and rear, left and right, and the moving means has a drive source for turning drive interposed between the rails of each paired structure. It has been set up.

[0007]

According to the first aspect of the present invention, the moving means, the turning means, and the elevating means have a three-layer structure, so that the game operation can be performed while experiencing the three-dimensional and rotational movements synchronized with the game screen. You can Further, since the turning means is interposed between the moving means and the elevating means, each layer can be removed, and a combination of operating means can be selected according to the purpose.

According to the second aspect of the invention, since the drive source of the turning means is provided inside the moving means, the height of the entire operating mechanism can be reduced.

[0009]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the drive structure of a game machine according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a video game machine to which the present invention is applied. Reference numeral 1 is a main body of a game machine, in which a player sits on a seat 6 and operates a handle 8, a shift lever 9 and operation members of a pedal 10 such as an accelerator and a brake while watching a game screen 7 to develop a game. It is like this.

Below the game machine body 1, a drive unit 2 for supporting and operating the game machine body 1 in accordance with a player's operation is provided. The drive unit 2 is formed by stacking three units for operating the game machine body 1 in a three-dimensional direction. 3 is an X- for moving the game console body 1 in eight directions in the front, rear, left and right and in the middle thereof.
It is a Y table unit. Reference numeral 4 denotes a turning unit for turning the game machine body 1. Reference numeral 5 is a cylinder unit for raising and lowering the game machine body 1 and tilting the game machine body 1 in the front-rear, left-right directions.

The structure and operation of each unit will be described below with reference to the drawings.

First, the XY table unit will be described.

FIG. 1 is a view showing the drive unit 2 in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1, and FIG. 3 is a plan view of the XY table unit 3.

Reference numeral 11 denotes a base on which a pair of rail bases 12a and 12b are juxtaposed at appropriate intervals.
Linear rails 13a and 13b are fixed to the upper surface of b so as to be parallel to each other. The linear rail 13
Two rail guides 14 are provided on a and 13b so as to be movable while being held. Moving frame 1
Reference numeral 5 denotes a square member made of steel square, and its lower surface is integrated with the rail guide 14 so that it can be moved in the X direction along the linear rails 13a and 13b.

Above the linear rail 13a, inside the moving frame body 15, both ends of the ball screw 16 are parallel to the linear rail 13a.
Bearings 2 in the supports 18, 19 mounted on
It is rotatably supported by 0 and 21. Nut 1
7 is screwed into the center of the ball screw 16, and the upper part is fixed to the moving frame 15. Further, one side of the ball screw 16 is connected to a drive shaft of a motor 23 fixed to the base 11 via a coupling 22. When the motor 23 is driven in the normal direction, the moving frame body 15 reciprocates in the X direction.

A pair of linear rails 24a and 24b are provided in parallel on each upper surface of the moving frame body 15. Two rail guides 25 are movably provided on each of the linear rails 24a and 24b in a state of being gripped. The intermediate table 26 is made of a steel plate, and its lower surface is integrated with the rail guide 25 so that it can be moved in the Y direction along the linear rails 24a and 24b.

An opening 27 having an appropriate diameter is provided at the center of the intermediate table 26, and a motor installation portion 28 having a cylindrical concave shape is formed therein. The motor installation portion 28 is attached to the intermediate table 26 by screwing the outer ring portion 29 thereof. The convex portion 30 is provided on one side of the intermediate table 26 and in the center on the linear rail 24b side,
A nut 32 screwed to the ball screw 31 is attached to the lower surface thereof. The ball screw 31 is fixedly installed so as to be parallel to the linear rail 24b, and both ends of the ball screw 31 are attached to the side surfaces of the moving frame body 15 on the support base 3.
It is rotatably supported by bearings 35, 36 in the units 3, 34. Further, one side of the ball screw 31 is connected via a coupling 37 to a drive shaft of a motor 38 fixed to the moving frame body 15. And this motor 3
The intermediate table 26 is moved to Y
Reciprocates in the direction. Here, the motor 23 and the motor 38 are respectively controlled by individual drive signals by a control device (not shown). Therefore, X and Y are controlled.
It is possible to perform the movement operation in the same direction at the same time. Therefore, when the player gives an instruction to move diagonally forward by the operation handle 8 and other operation members or is controlled to have an inertial feeling, the game machine main body 1 once moves in the X direction and then moves in the Y direction. Since the game machine body 1 moves in the X and Y directions at the same time instead of moving, the game machine body 1 can move linearly obliquely forward from the base point and from one position to another arbitrary position. . Alternatively, curved movement is possible depending on the control method.

On the base 11, a pair of switches 41 and 42 are arranged side by side at the center in the Y direction at both ends in the X direction. Further, on the lower surface of the moving frame body 15, a pair of contact plates 39 and 40 are arranged in parallel at the Y direction center at both ends in the X direction. When the moving frame 15 continuously moves in one direction, the contact plate 39 or 40 turns the switch 41 or 42 on.
The motor 23 is stopped by the N, and the movement in the X direction is stopped.

The moving frame body 15 is composed of the linear rail 2
On the side of 4a, a pair of switches 45, 4
6 are juxtaposed. Further, on the lower surface of the intermediate table 26, along the inner side surface of the moving frame body 15 on the side of the linear rail 24a, a pair of contact plates 43, 44 are arranged in parallel at both ends in the Y direction. When the intermediate table 26 continuously moves in one direction, the contact plate 43 or 44 causes the switch 45 to move.
Alternatively, by turning ON 46, the motor 38 is stopped and the movement in the Y direction is stopped.

As described above, the XY table unit 3 is constructed so that the game machine body 1 can be moved in the X direction, the Y direction, and the oblique directions, for example, eight directions.

Next, the turning unit 4 will be described with reference to FIG.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing one operation state.
Reference numeral 47 denotes a torque motor for turning the game machine main body 1. The torque motor 47 is provided at the center of the intermediate table 26 and is fixed to the bottom of the motor installation portion 28. The upper portion of the cylindrical rotor 48 inside the torque motor 47 is It is attached to the lower surface of the turntable 49. On the other hand, the lower portion of the rotor 48 is fixed to the lower surface of the motor installation portion 28 via a rotary joint 50. Further, the revolving table 49 has a plurality of ball casters 51 on its lower surface at equal intervals on equal radii.
By having, it is supported so as to be rotatable.

The torque motor 47 is driven by the player operating the handle 8 or in accordance with the content of the game, whereby the turning table 49 turns. The turning table 49 is configured so that turning control is performed by a contact plate 52 provided on the lower surface around the turning table 49 and a switch (not shown) provided at a position serving as a turning reference position of the intermediate table 26. For example, after one rotation, the torque motor 47 is stopped and the turning operation of the turning table 49 is stopped.

The central portion of the torque motor 47 has a hollow cylindrical shape, and various signal lines (not shown) and the air pipe of the cylinder unit 4 described later are inserted through the hollow portion. , And can be led out of the drive unit via the rotary joint 50, and the conduit piping process can be easily performed.

Next, the cylinder unit 5 will be described.

As shown in FIG. 2, on the upper surface of the turning table 51, three air cylinders 53a, 53b and 53c are installed.
Are arranged at the vertices of a regular triangle.

At one end of the piston rods 57a, 57b, 57c of the air cylinders 53a, 53b, 53c, one end of a rollable joint 59 having a link ball 58 inside is fitted. The air cylinder 53a
Has a shaft portion 54 rotatably supported by a bearing 55 of a support base 56 on a revolving table 59, and a joint 59 fitted in a piston rod 57c can be bent by a plurality of ring balls 58. By having
The distortion when the game machine body is tilted can be absorbed. The upper surface side of each joint 59 is attached to the bottom plate 62 of the game machine body 1, whereby the game machine body 1 is supported. Air cylinder 53a,
53 b and 53 c are individually controlled to move up and down by piston rods 57 a, 57 b and 57 c by air from a pneumatic pressure generation source 63, which will be described later, according to a game screen 7 displayed by a player's operation, whereby the game machine main body 1 Can be raised and lowered and tilted.

Next, the cylinder unit 5 that performs the above-described lifting operation will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 5 is an air circuit diagram of the cylinder unit 5. Note that FIG.
The air circuit section is omitted in FIGS.

The air generated by the air pressure generating source 63 is sent to the 4-port switching valves 67a-67c of the air cylinders 53a-53c via the filters 64, 65 and the pressure reducing valve 66. Here, 53a will be described. By switching the 4-port switching valve 67a, the cylinder head 5
7a goes up and down. Also, the air cylinder 53a is
2 port switching valves 68 on the head side and rod side respectively
a and 69a. Reference numerals 168a and 169a denote controllers for converting the control signal from the control device 70 into an analog voltage and outputting the analog voltage, and control the ascending / descending speed by opening / closing the 2-port switching valves 68a and 69a according to the voltage level. ing. here,
Although the air cylinder 53a has been described, the operation of the air cylinders 53b and 53c is similarly controlled. For example, in a car race, when a player performs an operation of riding a tire on a rocky place during the game development, the two-port switching valves 69a, 69b, 69c are temporarily fully opened to open the piston rods 57a, 57b, 57c. The game machine main body 1 temporarily abruptly swings by suddenly raising and then immediately fully opening the 2-port switching valves 68a, 68b, 68c and suddenly lowering the piston rods 57a, 57b, 57c. Can get the same feeling of actually riding on a rock.

With the above configuration, the player can play the game screen 7
Operate the game while watching to develop the game. At this time,
The player can experience the three-dimensional and rotational movements synchronized with the developed state of the game on the game screen 7, and can enjoy the game in an environment close to actual driving.
In the present embodiment, in order to perform three-dimensional and rotational operations, the drive unit is formed by stacking three types of operation units.
In particular, if the game contents do not require the lifting operation, the lifting unit is removed and the game machine body 1 is directly moved to the turning unit 4
It may be attached to and used. At this time, the ball caster 51 is fixed to the cylinder unit 5 and can be removed at the same time. Similarly, the intermediate table 26 is X
-Y Since it serves as a laminating means for interposing the swivel unit 4 between the table unit 3 and the cylinder unit 5, it is removed when the swivel unit 4 is not needed, and the direct X-Y unit is provided.
The table unit 3 and the cylinder unit 5 are stacked.

Although the video game machine for car racing has been described in the present embodiment, the same can be applied to the video game machine for simulating an aircraft battle or the like.

[0033]

As described above, according to the present invention, the moving means, the turning means, and the elevating means are constructed in a three-layer structure, so that one can feel the three-dimensional and rotational movements synchronized with the game development on the game screen. For example, in the case of a car racing video game, it is possible to obtain a more realistic sensation when riding in an actual vehicle and racing. Also,
Since each means of transportation is removable, by removing only the means of operation that are unnecessary for games with different contents,
The drive unit of the game machine can be shared, and productivity can be improved. Further, since the turning means is provided between the other operating means, the height of the drive unit itself can be reduced, and stable operation can be performed even for various operations.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a view showing a drive unit 2 as seen from an arrow A in FIG.

FIG. 2 is an external view showing a video game.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an XY table unit 3.

FIG. 4 is a side view showing one operation state.

FIG. 5 is an air circuit diagram of a cylinder unit 5.

[Explanation of symbols]

 1 Game Machine Main Body 2 Drive Unit 3 XY Table Unit 4 Swiveling Unit 5 Lifting Unit 6 Seat 7 Game Screen 8 Handle 9 Shift Lever 10 Pedal

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A game machine in which an operation is performed according to a game screen and a game machine body is moved in response to the operation, and a moving means for moving the game machine body to the front, rear, left and right, and a turning operation for performing a turning motion. And a raising / lowering means for performing a raising / lowering operation, and is constituted by a laminating means for laminating the turning means in three layers with the turning means interposed between the moving means and the raising / lowering means. A drive structure for a game machine, which is removable. 2. The moving means is provided with moving rails having a paired structure in front, rear, left and right, and the turning means has a drive source for turning drive interposed between the rails of each paired structure. The drive structure for the game machine according to claim 1.