JPH08215400A - Pachinko ball detector and pachinko ball counter - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To prevent erroneous operations due to the dust of a counter by letting a passing pachinko ball attract a magnet and closing a thin film switch by the movement of the magnet. CONSTITUTION: A detection element 18 is formed by a rectangular substrate 1 and a rectangular plate-like thin film switch. For the thin film switch, a spacer 7 is interposed between an upper film 5 and a lower film 6 and a prescribed gap is formed between the upper film 5 and the lower film 6, that is between contact point electrodes 8 and 9. A columnar recessed part 1a is formed in the substrate 1 and the magnet 2 is arranged. The magnet 2 is stuck to the lower film 6 by adhesion or the like, is not stuck to the substrate 1 and is only supported from a lower part at the bottom part 1b of the recessed part 1a. Then, when the pachinko ball P passes through paths 36c and 36d, the magnet 2 is attracted by the pachinko ball and moved to an upper part. Thus, the lower film 6 is bent upwards, the contact point electrodes 8 and 9 are brought into contact and the passing of the pachinko ball is detected.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pachinko ball detection device, and more particularly to a detection device for detecting passage of a pachinko ball in a pachinko ball passage. The present invention also relates to a device for counting pachinko balls passing through a pachinko ball passage.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a game arcade where a pachinko game machine is installed, it is necessary to detect or count pachinko balls for various purposes. For example, in a pachinko game machine, it is detected that a ball has entered the winning opening, and a predetermined number of balls are released to the player according to the winning. Furthermore, the number of pachinko balls that have won the prize is counted and the counting result is sent to the data management machine at the game hall. This data management machine accumulates data such as the number of balls output and the number of balls possessed in the game hall, and uses the data for analysis. In addition to the above, the game hall counts out balls of each pachinko game machine and counts pachinko balls that the player has acquired when exchanging prizes. Conventionally, photoelectric sensors are often used to detect and count pachinko balls.

[0003]

However, the photoelectric sensor has a limit in downsizing, which is sometimes inconvenient.
For example, in order to count the number of paid pachinko balls, it is necessary to place the detection element in a narrow space on the back side of the board of the pachinko game machine, so the space required for arranging the detection elements can be as small as possible. desirable. The photoelectric sensor is smaller than other detection elements, but it is not always satisfactory in this respect. In addition, there is a possibility of malfunction due to dust, and there is a problem that it is more expensive.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a pachinko ball detecting device or counting device which can sufficiently meet the demand for miniaturization.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an inexpensive pachinko ball detecting device or counting device that is free from malfunction due to dust.

[0006]

A pachinko ball detection apparatus according to claim 1 is arranged in a passage through which a pachinko ball passes, and a magnet that is attracted and moved by the passing pachinko ball and is closed by being pressed by the movement of the magnet. And a thin film switch formed.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, the thin film switch according to the first aspect is provided so as to be close to a pachinko ball through which the first surface passes, and is provided on a second surface opposite to the first surface. The above magnet is provided.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, the thin film switch according to the second aspect is provided below the path of the pachinko ball, and supports the magnet from below in a state where the magnet is not attracted by the pachinko ball. It is characterized by having means.

A fourth aspect of the present invention is characterized in that, in the third aspect, the magnet is fixed to the second surface of the thin film switch.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect, the magnet is fixed to the second surface of the thin film switch.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, in any one of the first to fifth aspects, the passage allows the pachinko ball to pass through a position at a predetermined distance from the thin film switch without contacting the surface of the thin film switch. It is characterized by comprising means.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, in the sixth aspect, the means for passing the position of the predetermined distance has a pair of opposite edges, and the pachinko balls roll while being supported by the edges. It is characterized by having done.

A pachinko ball counting device according to claim 8 is the pachinko ball detecting device according to any one of claims 1 to 7.
And a counting circuit that counts detection signals generated by opening and closing the thin film switch of the detection device.

[0014]

The pachinko ball detection device of the first aspect can be composed of a magnet and a thin film switch. Thin film switches are thin and small, and magnets can also be made thin and small. Therefore, a small detection device can be obtained. Further, malfunction due to dust can be avoided. Furthermore, the thin film switch can be operated without contact with the pachinko balls. Furthermore, the cost of the device can be reduced.

According to the second aspect, when the pachinko balls pass, the thin film switch can be operated by utilizing the attraction force of the pachinko balls to the magnet.

According to the third aspect, since the means for supporting the magnet from below is provided, it is not necessary to hold the magnet in the thin film switch, and the fatigue of the thin film switch, especially on the second surface side thereof, can be reduced. .

According to the fourth aspect, since the magnet is fixed to the second surface of the thin film switch, it is possible to prevent the magnet from moving along the second surface. Further, when the magnet falls downward due to gravity after passing the pachinko ball, the second surface can be pulled to quickly complete the closing of the thin film switch.

According to the fifth aspect, since the magnet is fixed to the second surface of the thin film switch, it is possible to prevent the magnet from moving along the second surface. Further, when the magnet falls downward due to gravity after passing the pachinko ball, the second surface can be pulled to quickly complete the closing of the thin film switch. Furthermore, a separate means for supporting the magnet from below can be omitted.

According to the sixth aspect, since the pachinko ball passes the position of a predetermined distance with respect to the thin film switch, the magnet can be attracted stably, and the pachinko ball can be reliably detected. it can. Further, since the pachinko balls are prevented from contacting the thin film switch, there is no fear that the surface of the thin film switch is damaged by the contact with the pachinko balls.

According to the seventh aspect, the pachinko ball can be reliably passed through the thin film switch at a predetermined distance with a simple structure.

According to the pachinko ball counting device of claim 8,
It is possible to obtain a counter having the same effects as those described in claims 1 to 7.

[0022]

1 and 2 show a detection element 18 used in a detection apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention and its arrangement. The detection element 18 of this embodiment is provided in the passage 36 for the pachinko balls P, and detects the pachinko balls P passing through the passage 36. The passage is a pair of side walls 36a, 36b.
And bottom plates 36c and 36d extending inward from the lower ends of the side walls 36a and 36. Bottom plate portion 36c,
36d is chamfered at the upper corners of edges 36e, 36f facing each other, that is, edges 36g, 36h, and retains and positions the rolling pachinko balls P at the chamfered edges 36g, 36h. It is like this. The side wall 36a and the bottom plate portion 36c are integrally formed, and the side wall 36a
b and the bottom plate portion 36d are integrally formed, and the side wall 36a and the bottom plate portion 36c and the side wall 36b and the bottom plate portion 36d are fixed to each other by means not shown.

As the detecting element 18, for example, FIGS.
The one shown in is used.

With reference to FIGS. 3 to 5, the detecting element 18 will be described below.
Will be explained. FIG. 3 is a plan view showing the detecting element 18, and FIGS. 4 and 5 are sectional views taken along the line IV-IV and V-V in FIG.
It is a line sectional view.

The detection element 18 has a rectangular substrate 1 and a rectangular plate-shaped thin film switch 3. The thin film switch 3 is arranged on the upper surface of the substrate 1 and fixed to the substrate 1. In this way, the substrate 1 and the thin film switch 3 are fixed to each other to form an integral unit.

The thin film switch 3 has an upper film 5, a lower film 6, a spacer 7, and contact electrodes 8 and 9. The upper film 5 and the lower film 6 are arranged in parallel with each other with a predetermined space therebetween by a spacer 7. The upper film 5 and the lower film 6 are formed of, for example, a material having a predetermined flexibility and hardness, for example, a thin film of plastic such as polyimide resin. Contact electrodes 8 and 9 are fixed to the surfaces of the upper film 5 and the lower film 6 facing each other, that is, substantially central portions of the inner surfaces. The contact electrodes 8 and 9 are formed by using, for example, a printed wiring technique. The contact electrode can also be formed of electrically conductive silicone rubber. In this case, the upper film and the lower film may be formed of insulating silicone rubber. As such a thin film switch 3, the same structure as a portion corresponding to one key of a thin film keyboard (membrane keyboard) conventionally used as an input means of an electronic desk calculator can be used. Can be formed.

Wiring patterns 10 and 11 are connected to the contact electrodes 8 and 9, respectively. Wiring pattern 1
Like the contact electrodes, 0 and 11 are also formed by the printed wiring technique, and are formed integrally with the contact electrodes 8 and 9 at the same time.

The upper membrane 5 and the lower membrane 6 each have a protruding portion 5 protruding laterally (a direction orthogonal to the longitudinal direction of the passage).
The wiring patterns 10 and 11 have a and 6a, extend along the protrusions 5a and 6a, and are supported by the protrusions 5a and 6a.

In FIG. 2, the hatching of the lower left dashed line shows the area occupied by the electrode 8 and the wiring pattern 10 connected to it, and the hatching of the lower right dashed line shows the area occupied by the electrode 9 and the wiring pattern 11 connected to it.
The cross-hatched portion shows a portion where the two electrodes 8 and 9 overlap each other.

End portions 10a of the wiring patterns 10 and 11
And 11a and the protrusions 5a and 6 supporting them.
“A” constitutes a terminal and is inserted into the hole-shaped contacts (female contacts) 12 a and 13 a of the connectors 12 and 13. 2 and 4, the end portion 10a and the protruding portion 5a of the lower wiring pattern 10 are in a state not inserted in the connector 12, and the end portion 11a and the protruding portion 6a of the upper wiring pattern 11 are connected to the connector 13. Indicates the inserted state.

End portions 10a of the wiring patterns 10 and 11
And 10b and the protruding portions 5a and 6a are inserted into the connectors 12 and 13, the end portions 10a and 10b of the wiring patterns 10 and 11 and the connector 1 are connected.
The contact members (not shown) inside 2 and 13 come into contact with each other,
This achieves the electrical connection. Lead wires 14 and 15 are connected to the connectors 12 and 13, respectively, so that they are connected to an external circuit.

In this embodiment, the wiring pattern 10 connected to the electrode 8 is formed on one side (lower side in FIG. 3) of the thin film switch 3, and the connector 12 is connected to the end portion 10a of the thin film switch 3 and On the other side (upper side in FIG. 3), the wiring pattern 11 connected to the electrode 9 is formed,
The end 11a is connected to the connector 13. With this configuration, the connectors 12 and 13 do not interfere with each other.

The lead wires 14 and 15 are connected to a circuit element (not shown) to form a detection circuit indicated by reference numeral 50 in FIG. The output of the detection circuit 50 is supplied to the pachinko game machine control circuit 52 and the counting circuit 54.

The detecting element 18 is arranged so that the upper membrane 5 faces upward in FIG. 1 and the direction of the arrow L in FIGS. 3 and 4 coincides with the longitudinal direction of the passage 36. Bottom plate 3
It is fixed to the lower surfaces of 6c and 36d.

The magnet 2 is fixed to the lower surface of the lower film 6 by adhesion or the like.

The substrate 1 is provided with a cylindrical recess 1a, and the magnet 2 is disposed in the recess 1a. The magnet 2 is fixed to the lower film 6 by adhesion or the like, while it is not fixed to the substrate 1, and the substrate 1 supports the magnet 2 from below at the bottom 1b of the recess 1a, and the whole thereof is a thin film switch. 3 is supported from below.

In the above structure, the pachinko ball P
When the ball passes through the passage 36, the pachinko ball P is made of steel, which is a magnetic material, so that the magnet 2 is attracted by the pachinko ball P and moves upward to press the detection element 18. As a result, the lower film 6 of the thin film switch 3 bends, and the electrode 8 becomes the electrode 9
To contact.

When the pachinko balls P pass by, the lower film 6 returns to its original position due to the gravity acting on the magnet 2 and the elasticity of the lower film 6, and the magnet 2 also returns to its original position. When the lower membrane 6 returns to its original position, the electrode 8 separates from the electrode 9. Such contact and separation between the electrodes 8 and 9 is detected by the detection circuit 50.
Is converted into an electric signal by a known method. This electrical signal thus represents the passage of a pachinko ball. The signal indicating the passage of the pachinko ball is supplied to the control circuit 52 and the counting circuit 54 as described above.

The control circuit 52 controls the pachinko game machine in accordance with the detection signal and ejects a predetermined number of balls. Counting circuit 5
4 counts the detection signal. From this, the number of pachinko balls that have passed is known. The counting result is sent to a game hall data management machine (not shown).

In the illustrated example, the magnet 2 is fixed to the lower film 6, which prevents the magnet from moving in the direction along the surface of the lower film 6 and also allows the pachinko machine to move. When the magnet 2 drops downward after the balls pass, the lower film 6 can be pulled to quickly and surely terminate the contact between the electrodes 8 and 9, but this fixing may be omitted. In this case, if the size of the recess 1a (the size in the direction along the surface of the lower film 6) is made small, the movement of the magnet 2 can be suppressed.

Further, the substrate 1 supports the magnet 2 from below when the magnet 2 is not attracted to the pachinko balls, so that
Although the fatigue of the lower film 6 is reduced, the lower film 6 has sufficient strength,
If it has durability, the substrate 1 may be omitted.

As described above, the position of the pachinko balls P passing through is determined by the chamfered edges 36g of the bottom plates 36c, 36d.
36h. As a result, it is possible to prevent the pachinko ball P from coming into contact with the surface of the thin film switch 3 and to keep the distance from the pachinko ball P to the magnet 2 constant. For this reason, since the pachinko balls P are prevented from contacting the surface of the thin film switch, there is no risk of the surface of the thin film switch being damaged by contact with the pachinko balls. Further, the attraction force of the pachinko balls P to the magnet 2 can be made constant, and the operation of the detection element 18 can be stabilized.

In the detecting element 18 shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the protruding portions 10a and 11a of the wiring pattern are the detecting elements 1.
Although it is provided on the opposite side of 8, the connectors may be provided on the same side, and accordingly, the connectors 12 and 13 may have an integrated structure. That is, in this case, a connector having two hole-shaped contacts is used as the connector. With this configuration, it is possible to connect to an external circuit with a single cable (including two lead wires), so that it is necessary for wiring as compared with the embodiments of FIGS. 3, 4, and 5. Space is small and it is easy to protect.

In the above embodiment, the detection element 18 is provided with only one pair of electrodes, but it is also possible to provide a plurality of pairs of electrodes. In this case, a plurality of magnets may be provided and provided corresponding to each electrode pair. 7 to 9 show an example thereof.

The detection elements of FIGS. 7-9 are similar to the detection elements of FIGS. 3-5, but instead of the magnet 2, two magnets 2a,
2b is provided. On the other hand, the thin film switch 3 has 2
A pair of electrodes 8a, 9a, 8b, 9b are provided, and the magnet 2
Each of a and 2b is arranged so as to press and close two pairs of electrodes. Further, as described below, wiring patterns of a plurality of electrode pairs are provided on one side of the detection element 18 and connected to one connector. That is, the wiring pattern 1 corresponds to the electrodes 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b.
0a, 10b, 11a, 11b and protrusions 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b for supporting the same are provided, and the connector 41 has wiring patterns 10a, 10b, 11a, 11
hole-shaped contacts 43a, 43b, 44 into which b is inserted
a and 44b. As the cable 45, a cable including four lead wires connected to four hole-shaped contacts is used.

The two pairs of electrodes are electrically separated from each other, and independent detection signals are obtained. This is advantageous when utilizing the detection signal in an electrically independent device. For example, when using the detection signal to count the number of pachinko balls, control the operation of the pachinko machine, and turn on the indicator light of the pachinko machine,
Where the circuits for counting, control and lighting are electrically independent, it may be advantageous for the detection signals to be generated by electrically separated electrodes. Further, as shown in the figure, when the electrode pairs are located at different positions in the longitudinal direction of the passage, signals with a time difference can be generated when the pachinko balls P pass.

Further, a plurality of magnets may be provided while leaving the pair of electrodes. For example, magnets are provided at two positions displaced in the longitudinal direction of the passage, and the electrode pair has a size that covers the range pressed by the two magnets. If you do this, for example, when a pachinko ball moves in the passage while bouncing, one magnet,
Even if the detection is impossible, the detection error can be reduced by the detection by the other magnet. It should be noted that the processing may be performed by an electric circuit so that only one signal is extracted when detected by both magnets.

10 and 11 show another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the sensing element 18 is mounted on one of the side walls. That is, the opening 36i is provided in the one side wall 36b, and the detection element 18 is fitted and held in the opening 36i. As the detecting element 18, for example, one shown in FIGS. 3 to 5 is used, and the upper membrane 5 side is provided with the passage 3
6 and the arrow L in FIGS. 3 and 4
Is arranged so that the direction of the is aligned with the longitudinal direction of the passage 36.

The position of the pachinko ball P is defined by the chamfered edges 36g and 36h, as in the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, so that the position is as close as possible to the pachinko ball P whose position is defined. In addition, the detection element 18 is arranged so as to avoid contact.

In the above structure, a pachinko ball P
When the ball passes through the passage 36, the pachinko ball P is made of steel, which is a magnetic material, so the magnet 2 is attracted to the pachinko ball P and moves to the inside of the path 36, that is, to the right in FIG.
The detection element 18 is pressed. As a result, the thin film switch 3
The lower film 6 bends, and the electrode 8 contacts the electrode 9.

When the pachinko ball P passes by, the elasticity of the lower film 6 causes the lower film 6 to return to its original position, and the magnet 2 also returns to its original position. When the upper film 5 returns to its original position, the electrode 8 separates from the electrode 9. Such contact or separation between the electrodes 8 and 9 is converted into an electric signal by the detection circuit 50 and supplied to the control circuit 52 and the counting circuit 54.

The modifications described with respect to the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 are also applicable to the embodiments of FIGS. 10 and 11, and the same effects as described for the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 are obtained. is there. However, when the magnet 2 is fixed to the lower film 6, the load applied to the lower film is in the direction of the surface of the film, so the strength is large, and therefore it is necessary to support the magnet by the bottom portion 1b of the recess 1a of the substrate 1. Absent. Further, even if the lower film 6 extends due to film fatigue, it does not affect the operation of contact and separation of the electrodes.

The above-described detection device can be arranged at another place of the pachinko game machine. That is, it is only required to be a place where a pachinko ball passes, and for example, it can be used to detect an out ball on a pachinko machine. In addition, at a prize exchange, a large number of balls are diverted to a plurality of passages, and pachinko balls are detected and counted in separate passages, and the total of the counted values is calculated and displayed. By the way, by using the above detection device or the counting device using the detection device, it is possible to significantly save the space.

[0054]

According to the pachinko ball detecting device of the first aspect, it can be constituted by a magnet and a thin film switch. Thin film switches are thin and small, and magnets can also be made thin and small. Therefore, a small detection device can be obtained. Further, malfunction due to dust can be avoided. Furthermore, the thin film switch can be operated without contact with the pachinko balls. Furthermore, the cost of the device can be reduced.

According to the second aspect, when the pachinko ball passes, the thin film switch can be operated by utilizing the attraction force of the pachinko ball to the magnet.

According to the third aspect, since the means for supporting the magnet from below is provided, it is not necessary to hold the magnet in the thin film switch, and it is possible to reduce the fatigue of the thin film switch, especially on the second surface side thereof. .

According to the fourth aspect, since the magnet is fixed to the second surface of the thin film switch, it is possible to prevent the magnet from moving along the second surface. Further, when the magnet falls downward due to gravity after passing the pachinko ball, the second surface can be pulled to quickly complete the closing of the thin film switch.

According to the fifth aspect, since the magnet is fixed to the second surface of the thin film switch, it is possible to prevent the magnet from moving along the second surface. Further, when the magnet falls downward due to gravity after passing the pachinko ball, the second surface can be pulled to quickly complete the closing of the thin film switch. Furthermore, a separate means for supporting the magnet from below can be omitted.

According to the sixth aspect, since the pachinko ball passes the position of the predetermined distance with respect to the thin film switch, the magnet can be attracted stably, and the pachinko ball can be detected reliably. it can. Further, since the pachinko balls are prevented from contacting the thin film switch, there is no fear that the surface of the thin film switch is damaged by the contact with the pachinko balls.

According to the seventh aspect, the pachinko ball can be surely passed through the thin film switch at a predetermined distance with a simple structure.

According to the pachinko ball counting device of claim 8,
It is possible to obtain a counter having the same effects as those described in claims 1 to 7.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view showing an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is a plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1. FIG.

FIG. 3 is a plan view of an example of a detection element used in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2.

4 is a sectional view taken along line IV-IV in FIG.

5 is a sectional view taken along line VV of FIG.

6 is a block diagram of an apparatus including a detection circuit using the detection element of FIGS. 3 to 5. FIG.

FIG. 7 is a plan view of another example of the detection element used in the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2.

8 is a sectional view taken along line VIII-VIII of FIG.

9 is a sectional view taken along line IX-IX in FIG. 7.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view showing another embodiment of the present invention.

11 is a side view of the embodiment of FIG.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 substrate, 1a dent, 1b bottom, 2 magnet, 3 detecting element, 5 upper film, 6 lower film, 7 spacer, 8 contact electrode, 9 contact electrode, 18 detecting element, 36 passage, 3
6g, 36h edge.

Claims (8)

[Claims] 1. Arranged in a passage through which a pachinko ball passes,
A pachinko ball detection apparatus comprising a magnet that is attracted and moved by a passing pachinko ball, and a thin film switch that is pressed and closed by the movement of the magnet. 2. The thin film switch is provided so as to be close to a pachinko ball through which a first surface passes, and the magnet is provided on a second surface opposite to the first surface. An apparatus according to claim 1, characterized in that 3. The thin film switch is provided below the passage of the pachinko ball, and has means for supporting the magnet from below in a state where the magnet is not attracted by the pachinko ball. The device according to claim 2. 4. The device according to claim 3, wherein the magnet is fixed to the second surface of the thin film switch. 5. The device according to claim 2, wherein the magnet is fixed to the second surface of the thin film switch. 6. The passage is provided with means for allowing a pachinko ball to pass a position at a predetermined distance from the thin film switch without contacting the surface of the thin film switch. 6. The device according to any one of 1 to 5. 7. The means for passing the position of the predetermined distance has a pair of opposite edges, and the pachinko balls roll while being supported by the edges. Item 7. The apparatus according to item 6. 8. A pachinko ball detection device according to any one of claims 1 to 7, and a counting circuit for counting a detection signal generated by opening and closing the thin film switch of the detection device. Pachinko ball counting device.