JPH08224366A - Game machine with malfunction preventive function - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a game machine for commertial use which is equipped with a moving structure, with which trouble or the like a erroneous operation of a movable part or the drive system likely to be generated by an external force, for example, by mischief by a player. CONSTITUTION: When an external force is applied to a movable part (moving structure) 13a provided in the game machine for commertial use, by detecting whether the applied load is over a specified level or not, erroneous operation of the structure 13a is detected. A transmitted force restricting means 30 is furnished to restrict the transmitted force from the movable part 13a to a drive motive 21 in the case of such detection so that no load exceeding the specified level is applied to the drive motive 21. A position sensor 40 is installed in the moving range of the structure 13a, and any failure in its position or operating condition is detected, and the motion is stopped.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an amusement machine for business use installed in an amusement center or the like, and more particularly, to a structure provided with a movable structure and driven by a drive source connected to the structure. The present invention relates to an amusement machine for business which can be moved.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art In a commercial game machine installed in an amusement center or the like, a structure is moved by drive control of a drive source such as a motor to express the motion of an animal or to experience a vehicle or the like. There are commercial amusement machines that can be used. For example, in a prize game machine that is played for the purpose of obtaining prizes, part or all of the appearance of the game machine body is formed into an animal shape, and parts such as the head and hands can be moved or animals can be simulated by voice. It is known to do so.

In a so-called drive game machine, an operating portion such as a steering wheel and an accelerator / brake is provided, and by applying a force that resists the operating force according to the situation such as speed and corner at that time, it is close to an actual vehicle. There are things that you can experience. Further, it is known that the seat portion is moved by drive control of a drive source such as a motor so as to simulate acceleration / deceleration or a vibration state.

[0004]

By the way, in a commercial game machine having a movable structure as described above, when a load is applied by a player's "mischief" that presses down a movable part, a motor or the like is driven. The force was often applied directly to the power source, which often caused the drive source to malfunction. Therefore, for example, in a conventional prize game machine, the movable part is covered with an acrylic cover or the like to prevent it from being directly touched as much as possible.

In a so-called sensation drive game machine, there is one in which a clutch is used in the handle portion as a means for controlling the transmission force of the driving force, but the transmission force is controlled so that the sensation can be obtained. In the conventional game machine, there is no one that uses a transmission force control means such as a clutch for the main purpose of preventing player mischief and abnormal movement of a moving part and a drive system. There is no one using a transmission force control means such as a clutch for the purpose of limiting.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to have an adverse effect on a movable part or a drive system caused by an external force due to mischief of a player, for example, seizure of a motor or the like. An object of the present invention is to provide an arcade game machine with an abnormal operation prevention function, which protects the game machine main body from harmful effects such as damage to movable parts and can prevent a failure due to an abnormal operation.

[0007]

According to the present invention, a movable structure is provided, and the structure can be moved by drive control of a drive source connected to the structure. The above-mentioned object of the present invention relates to
It is detected whether or not a load greater than a specified value is applied to the movable portion by an external force to the structure, and when a load greater than the specified value is detected, the load exceeding the specified value is the drive source. This is achieved by providing transmission force limiting means for limiting the transmission force between the movable portion and the drive source so as not to be applied to.

Further, (a) the transmission force limiting means has a clutch connected between the movable portion and the drive source, and when a load equal to or more than the specified value is detected, friction of the clutch is detected. Limiting the transmission force by the frictional force of the surface; (b) disposing a position detection sensor for detecting each operating position of the structure in the movable range of the structure, and detecting the position. And a control means for detecting an abnormality in the position and the operating state of the structure based on the detection information of the sensor, and stopping the drive of the drive source when the abnormality is detected; (c) the abnormality in the position and the operating state When the structure is in a movable state, it is detected by comparing a moving time to the position with a predetermined time recorded in advance, and when the structure is in a stopped state, the detection position of the sensor and the state are detected. Should be located at It is carried out by comparison with a predetermined position; a, respectively, are more effectively achieved.

[0009]

According to the present invention, when a load exceeding the specified value is applied to the movable part, a load exceeding the specified value can be prevented from being applied to the drive source. for that reason,
It is possible to prevent abnormal operation of the movable part and the drive system, and avoid damage to the structure and failure of the drive source due to overload. Further, by using a clutch as the transmission force limiting means, it can be realized with an inexpensive structure. Further, by providing a control means for detecting an abnormal operation of the structure based on the detection information of the position detection sensor and stopping the driving of the driving source and the progress of the game, the software processing prevents the abnormal operation and mischiefs the player. It becomes possible to prevent it. Further, since it is possible to detect an abnormal operation by recognizing whether there is an abnormality in the moving time or position of the structure, it is possible to cope with an abnormal operation due to deterioration of the mechanical portion of the drive system.

[0010]

1 is a side sectional view showing a structural example of an amusement machine for business use with an abnormal operation preventing function of the present invention, and FIG.
1 is a plan view of the crocodile of FIG.
The respective rear views of are shown. Below, these FIG.
The embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail by taking the prize game machine shown in FIGS. Game console body 10
Has a crocodile appearance, and the appearance member 12 is a vibration-proof elastic member (vibration-proof rubber) 15 for preventing vibration when the crocodile part 13 is opened and closed vertically (see FIG. 3). ), And is attached to the housing 11. In the lower portion 13b of the alligator portion 13 of the exterior member 12 mounted on the housing 11,
As shown in FIG. 2, a push button switch 14 for game play is arranged on the teeth.

The upper portion 13a of the crocodile mouth is movably formed, and by rotating in the arrow R direction around the bearing 24, the operation of opening and closing the crocodile mouth up and down is simulated. The upper part 13a of the alligator, which is a movable part,
Drive control is performed by the control means of the game machine body 10, and each operation such as continuous opening / closing operation and stopping operation at the opening position is controlled. The drive system for operating the upper part 13a of the alligator is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 3, a clutch 30, which is composed of a motor 21, which is a drive source, a gear 22, and a crank arm 23, and which is a transmission force limiting means, is provided between the bearing 24 and the gear 22.

The sensor 40 is a position detection sensor for detecting each operating position of the upper part 12B of the alligator, and is located within a movable range of the upper part 12B of the alligator (a range from the minimum opening position P1 to the maximum opening position P3). It is arranged. In the example of FIG. 1, the sensor 40A is configured to detect the maximum opening position P3, the sensor 40B to detect the opening stop position P2, and the sensor 40C to detect the minimum opening position P1, respectively. These sensors 40 are used to detect an abnormality in the operating state or the stopped state of the movable part (the upper part 13a of the alligator).

Next, the clutch used as the transmission force limiting means of the present invention will be described. Generally, there are a mechanical type and an electromagnetic type as a clutch that slides a coupling portion between a motor (driving side) and a driven side. FIG. 4 shows an example of the structure of the electromagnetic clutch. The electromagnetic clutch 31 has a coil 31a built therein. When a current is applied through the lead wire 31b, a magnetic flux is generated to form a magnetic circuit. When the clutch is turned on, the rotor 31c on the driven machine side is connected by the electromagnetic force, and the torque is transmitted. A friction plate 31d is bonded to the rotor portion and plays a central role in torque transmission.

On the other hand, a mechanical clutch is a "meshing clutch" or a "friction clutch (conical clutch or circular clutch that is connected to the driven side (slave side)" when the drive side original shaft is stationary or rotates at a low speed. There is a plate clutch). FIG. 5 shows an example of the structure of the “meshing clutch”. FIG. 5 (A) is a front sectional view and FIG. 5 (B) is a side sectional view. The mechanical clutch 32 shown in the figure is provided with a pawl 32a that meshes with each other on the driving side and the driven machine side, and engages or disengages the pawl 32a to intermittently rotate. The clutch attachment / detachment device uses a clutch shifter 32b having a mechanism for moving one of the clutches to the left and right.

The clutch 30 shown in FIG. 1 used as the transmission force limiting means may be either an electromagnetic type clutch or a mechanical type clutch as described above, but the electromagnetic type clutch is preferable from the following points. As a first advantage, the electromagnetic clutch has less change with time due to loosening of screws and the like as compared with the mechanical clutch. As a second advantage, the durability of the clutch itself is superior to that of the mechanical type. The third advantage is that the parts cost is lower than that of the mechanical type (the mechanical type clutch is designed and manufactured according to the shape of the application, resulting in high cost). For this reason, the electromagnetic clutch is used in the example of FIG. 1, and the case of using the electromagnetic clutch will be described below as an example. The electromagnetic clutch used in the present invention operates as a limiter when a torque (force) exceeding a specified value is applied to an object,
It is equipped with a device (torque limiter) that works so as not to apply more torque.

The basic operation of the upper portion 13a of the crocodile mouth, which is a movable portion, in such a structure will be described with reference to FIG. During the advertisement and the game, the movable part 13a is
Any one of the operation states a to d shown in FIG. That is, when the alligator is continuously opened and closed (in the vertical direction from the closing stop position P1 to the opening stop position P2), the crank mechanism is operating, the electromagnetic clutch is on, and the drive motor is on. In the stop state b at the maximum opening position P3 and the stop state c at the closing stop position (minimum opening position) P1, the electromagnetic clutch is on and the drive motor is off. Further, in the state d of the free fall operation (opening → closing), both the electromagnetic clutch and the drive motor are turned off.

Here, briefly explaining an example of how to play the prize game machine described above, the crocodile mouth 13 is continuously opened and closed during the advertisement, and coins or medals are inserted from a coin slot or a medal slot (not shown). When a coin is inserted, the operation state of the alligator opening 13 transits from the state a of the continuous opening / closing operation to the stop state b at the maximum opening position P3, and the game is started. “Hit” and “out” are set in advance at a predetermined ratio, and when the game is started, “hit” and “out” for each push button switch 14.
And are randomly assigned and set.

Here, a single player play will be described.
When the player selects and pushes the push button switch 14, the illuminated portion of the display unit (not shown) provided on the upper portion of the housing 11 is rotatably displayed in a roulette type, and then n
A display indicating that it is a “win” or a display indicating that it is “out” is displayed in the relevant portion. In the case of “disengagement”, the crocodile mouth 13 enters the free fall operation state d from the maximum opening position P3, transitions to the stop state c at the closing stop position P1, the crocodile mouth 12 closes, and a prize is obtained. The game ends without being able to do it. In the case of "hit", "hit" and "off" for each push button switch 14 again
Are randomly set. Then, a predetermined number of times (for example, 5
In the case of “winning” consecutively, at least one of the prizes stored in the game machine main body 10 is paid out to a not-shown outlet. Also in this case,
The alligator hole 13 is in a free fall operation state d from the maximum opening position P3.
Then, the state transits to the stopped state c at the closing stop position P1, the crocodile mouth 12 is closed, and the game ends. Then, after a lapse of a predetermined time, the advertisement state is set, and the above operation is repeated.

In such a prize game machine, there are the following two types of assumed "pranks" (forces acting on the movable part from the outside) of the player: The first is "alligator". "Prank" to hold down from the bottom
In (), the second is "prank" () that pushes up the "crocodile" from the bottom to the top.

The operation of the "transmission limiting means (clutch)" for the above-mentioned and mischief in each of the operating states a to d shown in FIG. 6 will be described. When the above or the mischief is input in the operating state a, the torque limiter in the clutch 30 detects the mischief. Then, by slipping the friction plate of the clutch 30, the force of mischief is released. At this time, the power transmission by the drive motor 21 for opening and closing the alligator 13 is continued, the transmission force is limited by the frictional force of the friction surface of the clutch, and the movable part (the upper part of the alligator) 13a is connected. An overload on the driven source (motor) 21 is avoided. It should be noted that the torque limiter is preliminarily adjusted at the operation start point of the limiter when the load exceeds the specified value so that the load applied to the drive source 21 does not exceed the specified value.

In the operating state b, since the movable part (the upper part of the alligator hole) 13a is stopped at the maximum opening position P3, the above mischief does not occur. When the above mischief is input, the friction plate of the clutch 30 slips and the movable portion 13a moves downward. At this time, the drive source (motor) 2
1 is in the off state, and the position of the movable portion 13a is fixed at that position when the mischief input is eliminated.

In the operating state c, since the movable part (the upper part of the alligator hole) 13a is stopped at the minimum opening position P1, the above mischief does not occur. When the above mischief is input, the friction plate of the clutch 30 slips and the movable portion 13a moves upward. At this time, the drive source (motor) 2
1 is in the off state, and the position of the movable portion 13a is fixed at that position when the mischief input is eliminated.

In the operating state d, that is, when the movable portion (the upper part of the crocodile) 13a is in a free fall state, the electromagnetic clutch and the drive source (motor) are off, and the movable portion 13a is completely free. Is. When the above or the above mischief is continued in this operating state d, the mischief processing of the above operating states b and c is followed.

As described above, when a load exceeding the specified value is applied to the movable part, a load exceeding the specified value can be prevented from being applied to the drive source. Therefore, it is possible to prevent abnormal operation of the movable part and the drive system, and avoid damage to the structure and failure of the drive source due to overload. Further, by using the clutch as the transmission force limiting means, it is possible to deal with only the mechanism without controlling with software.

Next, a description will be given of a process of detecting an abnormality in the placement and operating state of the movable part (the upper part of the crocodile) 13a by the control means of the game machine body using the sensor 40. Position detection sensor 4 for detecting each operating position of the movable portion 13a
As for 0, for example, an optical sensor is used, and the light emitting element and the light receiving element are installed opposite to each other on the movable portion side and the housing side. In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, in the movable range of the movable portion 13a, a plurality of position detection sensors 40 are arranged along the rotating surface. In addition, the prize game machine of FIG.
The game machine main body 10 is provided with a control means including a U, a RAM / ROM, an I / O interface, etc., and controls game processing and abnormal processing. The storage means (RAM) of the game machine main body 10 is shown in FIG.
For each of the operating states a to d shown in FIG.
The information of the position that should be originally located is registered in advance. In addition, each point P1, P2, at which the movable portion 13a moves,
, Pn (P1 to P3 in this embodiment) is registered in advance in correspondence with the movement pattern (continuous opening / closing movement or free fall movement).

The processing relating to the abnormal operation prevention control of the present invention having such a configuration will be described with reference to the flowcharts of FIGS. 7 and 8. The control means determines each phase of the game progress (initial phase, advertised phase, in-game phase, end phase). In the initial phase, for example, in the test mode, I /
A drive command for each operation pattern is sent out through the O interface, and the operation state confirmation unit is called to confirm the operation state.

In the operation state confirmation section of the control means, the passage point is detected based on the detection information of the position detection sensor (step S11), the time for passing between the respective sensors 40 (movement time to the position), and the operation pattern. And the moving time registered in the storage means corresponding to the passing place (step S12), and if the absolute value of the difference exceeds the threshold value, it is determined that the drive system is abnormal (step S13, S1
4) If it is less than or equal to the threshold value, it is determined to be normal (step S1).
5). Then, the confirmation result is set and the process returns to the main process. The control means notifies the operator, for example, by blinking a warning lamp or sounding an alarm, if the confirmation result of the operation state confirmation section indicates that the operation state is abnormal. If the operation test is normal, in the test mode, subsequently, a stop command at each stop position is sent, and the stop state confirmation unit is called to confirm the stop state.

In the stop state confirmation section of the control means, the detection information of the position detection sensor corresponding to the position instructed by the stop command is read (step S21), and if not detected, an abnormality in the stop state (not present at the position). ) Is determined (steps S22 and S23), and if detected, it is determined to be normal (step S24). Then, the confirmation result is set and the process returns to the main process. In the control means, if the check result of the stop state confirmation section indicates that the stop state is abnormal,
The operator is notified as in the case of confirming the operation state described above. If the stop test is normal, for example, a lamp indicating normality is turned on, and the confirmation processing in the initial phase ends.

In the control means, in the subsequent advertising phases, in-game phases and end phases,
Depending on the operating states a to d of the movable portion 13a, the abnormal state detection processing by the operating state confirming portion and the stopped state confirming portion described above is performed, and if an abnormality in the position or operating state of the movable portion 13a is detected, drive is performed. The drive of the source and the progress of the game are stopped, and the operator is notified of the occurrence of the abnormality. However, when the movable part 13a is in the stopped state (operating states b and c), the abnormal state detection process is different from the initial phase, and is performed by, for example, periodically calling the stopped state confirmation part. By such processing of the control means, it is possible to prevent abnormal operation and prevent player mischief, and it is possible to detect and notify the operator of abnormal operation due to deterioration of the mechanical portion of the drive system. Become.

In the above-described embodiment, the clutch is used as the transmission force limiting means, and the connecting portion is slipped to change the rotational force between the main shaft (driving source) side and the slave shaft side. As the transmission force limiting means, a differential gear device or the like may be used, and a mechanism that changes the rotation of the gear connected to the drive source according to an external force may be used.

[0031]

As described above, according to the amusement machine for business use with the abnormal operation preventing function of the present invention, when the force applied from the outside exceeds the specified weight, it is transmitted from the drive source by the transmission force limiting means. Since the force is released, it is possible to prevent abnormal operation of the movable part and the drive system, and avoid damage to the structure and failure of the drive source due to overload. Further, by using a clutch as the transmission force limiting means, it can be realized with an inexpensive structure. Further, since the abnormal operation can be detected based on the detection information of the position detection sensor, it is possible to prevent the abnormal operation and the mischief of the player by the processing of the software. Further, since it is possible to detect an abnormal operation by recognizing whether there is an abnormality in the moving time or position of the structure, it is possible to cope with an abnormal operation due to deterioration of the mechanical portion of the drive system.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a side sectional view showing a configuration example of an arcade game machine with an abnormal operation prevention function according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the crocodile mouth of FIG. 1 with an upper portion removed.

FIG. 3 is a rear view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing a first example of a clutch used in the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a second example of the clutch used in the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining an operation example of the business-use game machine in FIG. 1.

FIG. 7 is a first flowchart for explaining the abnormal operation detection / prevention processing of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a second flowchart for explaining the abnormal operation detection / prevention processing of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 10 Game Machine Main Body 11 Housing 12 Appearance Member 13 Alligator 13a Upper part of crocodile (movable part) 13b Lower part of crocodile 14 Push button switch 15 Anti-vibration elastic member 21 Motor (drive source) 22 Gear 23 Crank arm 24 Bearings of movable part 30 Clutch (transmission force limiting means) 31 Electromagnetic clutch 31a Coil 31b Lead wire 31c Rotor 31d Friction plate 32 Mechanical clutch 32a Pawl 32b Clutch approach 40, 40A, 40B, 40C Sensor

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A commercial game machine having a movable structure, wherein the structure can be moved by drive control of a drive source connected to the structure, from outside the structure. Force to detect that a load above the specified value is applied to the movable part, and if a load above the specified value is detected, a load exceeding the specified value is not applied to the drive source. An amusement machine for business use with an abnormal operation prevention function, further comprising: transmission force limiting means for limiting transmission force between the movable portion and the drive source. 2. The transmission force limiting means has a clutch connected between the movable portion and the drive source, and when a load equal to or more than the specified value is detected, friction of a friction surface of the clutch is generated. The commercial game machine with an abnormal operation prevention function according to claim 1, wherein the transmission force is limited by force. 3. A position detection sensor for detecting each operation position of the structure is arranged in a movable range of the structure, and a position and an operation state of the structure are detected based on detection information of the position detection sensor. 3. An arcade game machine with an abnormal operation preventing function according to claim 1, further comprising a control means for detecting an abnormality and stopping the drive of the drive source when the abnormality is detected. 4. The detection of the abnormality of the position and the operating state is
When the structure is in a movable state, it is performed by comparing the moving time to the position with a predetermined time recorded in advance, and when the structure is in a stopped state, the detection position of the sensor and the original position in the state. 4. An amusement machine for business use with an abnormal operation preventing function according to claim 3, wherein the operation is performed by comparing with a predetermined position to be performed.