JPH10234966A - Prize ball pay-out device for pachinko game machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a prize ball pay-out device of a Pachinko (pinball game) machine capable of inducing the smooth pay-out operation of prize balls at a low cost in the prize ball pay-out device provided with a ball passage of plural columns. SOLUTION: This device is provided with a ball passing detection member 200 linked accompanying the passing of the prize balls for respective columns flowing down the ball passage 153 of the two columns and detects the movement of the ball passing detection member 200 by a pay-out ball sensor 171 as the pay-out number of the prize balls. Thus, since the prize balls alternately flowing down the ball passage 153 of the plural columns are coped with by one ball passing detection member 200, the need of providing the pay-out ball sensor 171 for the respective columns where the prize balls flow down is eliminated and the pay-out number of the prize balls is detected at a low cost. Also, since the column number of the ball passage 153 is not reduced in the middle, ball clogging inside the ball passage 153 is evaded and the smooth pay-out operation of the prize balls is invited.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a prize ball dispensing apparatus for a ball game machine which pays out a predetermined number of prize balls based on generated prize balls.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, a mechanism plate provided on the back of a ball game machine is provided with a prize ball payout device for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls based on generated prize balls. The ball dispensing device generally rotates the sprocket 301 provided in the ball passage 303 by driving a motor 302, as in a prize ball dispensing device 300 shown in FIG. The prize balls B flowing down were received and paid out by the sprocket 301 one by one. Further, as such a prize ball payout device, there has been proposed a prize ball payout device in which a payout operation is sped up by alternately paying out prize balls from two rows of ball paths. In such a prize ball payout device, a payout detector that detects the number of payouts of the prize balls based on the detection of the passage of the prize balls is provided at each downstream end of the two rows of ball passages.

[0003]

On the other hand, JP-A-7-30
As in the prize ball dispensing device disclosed in Japanese Patent No. 3743, the downstream end of the two rows of ball passages is arranged in one row to provide a single payout detector, leading to a cost reduction. However, in this configuration, the ball passage was generated at a portion where the ball passage was reduced from two rows to one row, and it was not possible to pay out the prize balls smoothly. That is, the higher the speed of the prize ball, the more the prize ball jumps up on the passage (slope) and collides with the next prize ball, so that the ball is more likely to be clogged.
The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide a prize ball dispensing device having a plurality of rows of ball passages, which is capable of causing a low-cost and smooth prize ball dispensing operation. An object of the present invention is to provide a prize ball payout device for a ball game machine.

[0004]

Means for Solving the Problems In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, specific solutions adopted by claim 1 of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 3, in a prize ball dispensing device 150 of a ball game machine that dispenses a predetermined number of prize balls based on generated prize balls, a plurality of rows (2) for causing the prize balls to flow down in an aligned manner. Row) ball passage 153,
A ball feed member (ball feed rotating body 175) that receives and pays out prize balls flowing down the plurality of rows of ball passages 153 one by one in each row, and a ball feed that is a driving source of the ball feed rotary body 175. A driving member (stepping motor 163), a movable member (ball passage detection member 200) that moves as the prize ball of each row flowing down the plurality of rows of ball passages 153 passes, and a ball passage detection member 200 One detecting means (payout ball sensor 171) for detecting the movement as the payout number of the prize ball;
The ball passage detection member 200 includes a plurality of (two) ball contact pieces 202 which are individually provided in the plurality of rows of ball passages 153 and are pressed by prize balls flowing down the ball passages 153.
And a detection piece 203 in which the operation in conjunction with the operation of the plurality of ball contact pieces 202 is detected by the payout ball sensor 171.
And the stepping motor 163
Is controlled based on the detection operation of the payout ball sensor 171. With this configuration, the ball passage detection member 200 can cope with a prize ball that alternately flows down the ball passages 153 in a plurality of rows.
It is not necessary to provide the payout ball sensor 171 for each row in which the prize balls flow, and the payout number of the prize balls can be detected at low cost. Further, since the number of rows of the ball passages 153 is not reduced in the middle, it is possible to avoid a ball jam in the ball passages 153, and it is possible to cause a smooth prize ball payout operation. Furthermore, since the movement of the ball passage detection member 200 can be directly detected by the payout ball sensor 171, the detection mechanism can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

A specific solution adopted by the second aspect of the present invention to achieve the above object will be described with reference to the drawings. As shown in FIG. 10, in a prize ball dispensing device of a ball game machine that dispenses a predetermined number of prize balls based on generated prize balls, a plurality of rows of ball passages for causing the prize balls to flow down in an aligned manner. And a ball feeding member that receives and pays out one by one each of the prize balls flowing down the plurality of rows of ball passages,
A ball feed drive means serving as a drive source for the ball feed member; and a plurality of (two pieces) individually provided in the plurality of rows of ball paths, each of which is independently movable with the passage of a prize ball flowing down the ball path. ), And one detecting means (payout ball sensor 171) for detecting the movement of each of the plurality of ball pass detection members 200a and 200b as the payout number of the prize ball. The ball passing detection members 200a and 200b are provided with ball contact pieces 202a and 202b pressed by a prize ball flowing down the ball path, and an operation in conjunction with the operation of the ball contact pieces 202a and 202b is the payout ball. Detection piece 203 detected by sensor 171
a.203b, and the ball feed driving means is controlled based on the detection operation of the payout ball sensor 171. With this configuration, the ball passing detecting members 200a and 200b can cope with the prize balls flowing down the ball passages in a plurality of rows alternately. Therefore, the payout ball sensor is provided for each row in which the prize balls flow down. There is no need to provide the 171, and it is possible to detect the number of awarded ball payouts at low cost. In addition, since the number of rows of the ball passages is not reduced in the middle, it is possible to avoid a ball jam in the ball passages, and it is possible to cause a smooth prize ball payout operation. Further, each ball passing detecting member 2
By sharing between 00a and 200b, the durability of the ball passage detection member (movable member) can be improved.

An elastic member for urging the ball passing detecting member 200 (ball passing detecting members 200a and 200b) so that the operation of the detecting piece 203 (detecting pieces 203a and 203b) is not detected by the payout ball sensor 171. (Spring 205, springs 205a and 205b), the ball passing detecting member 200
Since the (ball passing detection members 200a and 200b) can be prevented from moving and the payout ball sensor 171 from erroneously detecting the movement, the payout number of the prize balls can be detected more reliably.

[0007]

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. First, the overall configuration of the ball game machine 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG.
2 is a front view of the ball game machine 1 according to the embodiment, and FIG.
Is a rear view of the ball and ball game machine 1. FIG.

The ball game machine 1 has an outer frame 2 formed in a vertically elongated rectangular shape, and is pivotally supported by one side of the outer frame 2 so as to be openable and closable, and has substantially the main components of the ball game machine 1. It is composed of a frame base 3 which is provided in a centralized manner, and a glass plate holding frame 4 which is provided on the upper front surface of the frame base 3 so as to be freely opened and closed. The main components provided on the frame base 3 include:
The above-mentioned glass plate holding frame 4, game board 40, upper plate 12, lower plate 21 including ashtray 24, operation handle 25, mechanism plate 7
0, there is a hit ball launching device 63. In the illustrated embodiment, a card unit device 30 as a unit device for renting out game balls to a player is attached to the side of the ball game machine 1.

The glass plate holding frame 4 has a game board 4 to be described later.
A circular see-through window 5 capable of substantially seeing through the game area of No. 0 is opened, and a glass plate is mounted from the back of the circular see-through window 5. Further, the glass plate holding frame 4 is provided with a decorative LED 7 on the upper part thereof along the outer periphery of the circular see-through window 5 and decorative fluorescent lamps 6a and 6b on both left and right sides thereof. This decoration L
The ED 7 and the decorative fluorescent lamps 6a and 6b are turned on or blinked in accordance with the game state, and inform the player when a special game state has occurred or continue, and enhance the atmosphere of the game. In addition, on the upper side of the pivotal support side of the glass plate holding frame 4, there is a broken-out LED 8 for notifying that a prize ball is insufficient to pay out (when a later-described broken-out detection sensor 81 is activated), and a prize ball is generated. A payout LED 9 is provided for notifying that a predetermined number of prize balls have been paid out based on the game. Further, speakers 10a and 10b for generating sound effects according to the progress of the game are provided on the left and right upper portions of the glass plate holding frame 4. Have been. Among the above-described configurations, the decorative LED 7, the broken-off LED 8, and the payout LED 9 are configured such that a plurality of LEDs are mounted on a printed wiring board, and the printed wiring board is a metal-based printed wiring board. With this configuration, the heat radiation effect of the heat generated from the LED can be enhanced.

Next, the structure of the upper plate 12 which is attached to the lower part of the glass plate holding frame 4 so as to be openable and closable will be described.
The upper plate 12 is configured by fixing a plate member obtained by combining a plurality of synthetic resin members to the surface of the synthetic resin upper plate opening / closing plate 11. The upper plate opening / closing plate 11 is provided with a ball removal operation lever 16 at the upper end on the open side. The ball removal operation lever 16 is provided so as to be movable in the left-right direction, and moves in one direction against the urging force of a spring (not shown) to move the balls stored in the upper plate 12 to the upper plate opening / closing plate 11. The ball-dropping path (not shown) formed on the back surface is caused to flow down to the lower plate 21. The upper plate 12 has a built-in piezoelectric buzzer 17 therein. The piezoelectric buzzer 17 is called a beep when a game ball lending abnormality occurs (for example, a continuous beep, a beep, a beep) or when a game ball is lent (for example, every time a game ball worth 100 yen is paid out). Sound), a notification sound notifying the effect is generated.

The above-mentioned upper plate 12 will be described in more detail. The upper plate 12 communicates a prize ball payout port 14 formed on the upstream side with a hit ball supply port 15 formed on the downstream side. The storage alignment path 13 is formed, and an upper bowl detector (not shown) is provided in the middle bottom surface of the storage alignment path 13 at the back surface. The upper counter ball detector detects a hit ball remaining in the upper counter 12. In addition, the upper plate 12 is provided with an operation unit which is operated when borrowing a game ball via a card unit device 30 provided adjacent to the ball game machine 1. Although not shown as an operation unit, a ball lending switch, a return switch, and an automatic ball lending switch are provided, and a frequency display LED and an automatic ball lending display LED are provided beside the ball lending switch and the return switch. ing.

The ball lending switch is a card unit device 30
It is operated when borrowing game balls by
The return switch is set to the card unit device 3 at the end of the game.
This is for returning the card inserted into the card insertion slot 33 of No. 0. The frequency display LED displays the remaining amount of the card inserted into the card insertion slot 33 of the card unit device 30. In addition, the automatic ball lending switch is a manual mode in which a game ball to be borrowed is operated by operating the ball lending switch, and an automatic ball lending switch is provided when the remaining amount of hit balls of the upper plate 12 is no longer detected by the upper ball detector. The automatic ball payout display LED is lit when the automatic motor is selected and set. The ball lending switch, return switch, frequency display LED, automatic ball lending switch, automatic ball lending display LED provided on the upper plate 12, and the upper plate wiring 19 extending from the upper plate detector are shown in FIG. Wiring opening 18 formed on the lower surface on the lower side of one side of game board storage frame 58 of frame base 3 as described above.
And is connected to a connector provided on the payout control circuit board 104.

If a big hit game state occurs in the game contents of the game board 40 described later, there is a chance to acquire a large number of winning balls in a short time. As described above, a huge chance for the player of the jackpot game state is,
In some cases, it may occur when the remaining balls on the upper plate 12 have almost disappeared. In such a case, it is necessary to successively fire a ball to make the ball hit a specific winning area of the variable winning ball device 42. Nevertheless, since the hit ball does not remain in the upper plate 12, the ball rental switch must be operated in a hurry to borrow a game ball. However, since a game ball is paid out after operating the ball lending switch, and it takes some time until the ball is fired and reaches the specific winning area of the variable winning ball apparatus 42, during that time, Although there is an inconvenience of missing an advantageous chance (establishment of continuation right), in the present embodiment, if the automatic ball lending switch is set to the automatic mode, the upper ball detector detects no hit ball. The game balls are automatically paid out to the upper plate 12 when is detected, so that the above-mentioned inconvenience does not occur. If the above control is not performed as the upper plate 12, the upper plate detector and the automatic ball lending switch may be omitted.

Further, on the open side upper part of the upper plate opening and closing plate 11,
A cylinder lock 20 for operating the locking device that locks the glass plate holding frame 4 to the frame base 3 and locks the frame base 3 to the outer frame faces.

The lower plate 21 attached to the lower portion of the frame base 3 is a prize ball overflowing from the upper plate 12 and is formed of surplus balls discharged from a surplus ball payout port 22 through a surplus ball passage 90 described later. A prize ball is stored, and a ball-drawing operation lever 23 is slidably mounted on a front wall of the lower plate 21. This ball removal operation lever 2
By operating 3, the prize balls stored in the lower plate 21 can be emptied downward and transferred to a portable carton. An ashtray 24 is provided on the left side of the lower plate, and an operation handle 25 is provided on the right side.
The operation handle 25 has a built-in main switch and a touch antenna (both not shown) for starting driving of a ball hitting motor 64 of a ball hitting / launching device 63, which will be described later, and adjusts the resilience.

The front structure of the ball game machine 1 is generally as described above, but in the illustrated embodiment, the card unit device 30 is adjacent to the ball game machine 1. The card unit device 30 is operated by operating the above-described operation unit provided on the upper surface of the upper plate 12. Thus, the card unit device 30 has a usable indicator 31 for displaying whether the card unit device 30 is in a usable state and a card game machine 1 on which side the card unit device 30 corresponds. Linkage stand direction indicator 32 to be displayed
And a card insertion slot 33 for inserting a magnetic card as a recording medium. The card unit device 30 configured as described above is controlled by a unique control circuit, and is connected to the payout control circuit board 104 via the card unit wiring 34. Note that the card unit device 30 may be incorporated in the ball game machine 1. In the present embodiment, the card unit device 30 is exemplified as a unit device for renting out game balls to a player, but may be a unit device into which a bill or the like can be inserted, for example.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a mechanism plate 70 provided with various mechanisms for paying out a predetermined number of prize balls based on the occurrence of a prize ball is provided on the back surface of the ball game machine 1. At the same time, on the back surface corresponding to the operation handle 25, a hitting ball launching device 63 having a hitting motor 64 and a hitting hammer 65 is fixed, and beside the hitting launching device 63,
A connecting gutter (not shown) for guiding a prize ball flowing down the surplus ball passage 90 of the mechanism plate 70 to the lower plate 21 is fixed, and the decorative fluorescent lamps 6a and 6b and the decorative LED 7 are provided beside the connecting gutter. And a decoration control board box 66 for accommodating a decoration control board 67 for performing display control or sound effect control of the speakers 10a and 10b, and further, the outer frame 2 is hung on the open back surface of the frame base 3 with respect to the outer frame 2. A locking device 60 is provided for locking the frame base 3 to the stopper 61 and locking the glass plate holding frame 4 to the frame base 3. In addition,
Decoration control board 6 stored in decoration control board box 66
7, a connector 68a for connecting wiring laid on the front side of a mechanism plate 70 described later and a connector 68b for connecting wiring laid from the frame base 3 side are provided.
A volume switch 69 for switching the volume of the speakers 10a and 10b is provided.

In the above, the overall schematic configuration of the ball game machine 1 has been described. Hereinafter, among the elements constituting the ball game machine 1, the detailed structures of the game board 40 and the mechanism plate 70 will be sequentially described. I do.

First, referring to FIG. 1 and FIG.
Will be described. FIG. 1 shows the front structure of the game board 40.
This will be described with reference to FIG. The game board 40 is formed of a substantially square plywood so as to be stored and fixed in a game board storage frame 58 integrally formed on the back side of the frame base 3, and has a circular spiral guide rail on its surface. (Not shown) is attached, the inside of the guide rail is set as a game area, and the shot ball which is shot falls. In the game area, in the case shown in the figure, a start winning prize hole 43 that allows variable display of the drum-shaped variable display device 41, the variable winning ball device 42, and the drum-shaped variable display device 41 is provided, and simply hitting a ball is a win. Winners 44 and 45, a windmill or a large number of obstacle nails for changing the flowing direction and speed of the hit ball are provided, and a hit ball which does not win any winning area is taken in the lowermost part of the game area. A mouth 46 is provided.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 2, a drum storage box 47 for storing the rotating drum of the drum-shaped variable display device 41 protrudes from the back surface of the game board 40. A plurality of drum units each including a rotating drum, a stepping motor for rotatingly driving the rotating drum, and an illumination lamp for illuminating a picture of the rotating drum from behind are fixedly stored in the drum storage box 47. A radiator plate 48 for radiating heat generated inside to the outside is fixed to the back surface. This heat sink 48
, A box hooking member 49 is attached to one lower side thereof. The box hooking member 49 is provided with a game control board box 57 for accommodating a circuit board for controlling the game operation, which is rotatably provided from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction with the upper side pivotally supported. The game control board box 57 can be held in a horizontal state when in the moving position. In this manner, it is possible to observe the state of a second winning ball set cover body 51 and a third winning ball set cover body 52, which will be described later, covered by the game control board box 57 while being held in the horizontal direction.

In the periphery of the drum storage box 47 except for the lower part, a guide for guiding a winning ball that has won a winning opening (only the winning opening 45 in the present embodiment) located above the drum-shaped variable display device 41. A first winning ball collecting cover body 50 having a passage formed on a front surface thereof is attached.
A second winning ball aggregate cover body 51 and a third winning ball aggregate cover body 52 are attached to a lower portion of the lower frame so as to communicate with the winning ball aggregate cover body 50.

The first winning ball collecting cover body 50 has a window hole 53 formed in the center thereof through which the drum storage box 47 penetrates, and a relay board 54 is attached to the rear surface on one side. The relay board 54 is an electric component (for example, various switches, lamps, or solenoids) provided on the game board 40 other than the drum-shaped variable display device 41.
From the circuit board housed in the game control board box 57.

On the rear side of the second winning ball collecting cover body 51, board box mounting members 55 are mounted on the upper left and right sides thereof. This board box mounting member 55
The upper end of a game control board box 57 that houses a circuit board for controlling the game operation is rotatably supported. On the front side of the third winning ball aggregate cover body 52 attached below the second winning ball aggregate cover body 51, the winning ball flowing down the front side of the second winning ball aggregate cover body 51 is guided downstream. A winning ball guide path is formed at both ends, and an out ball passage covering concave portion is formed to cover the open back surface of the out ball passage formed on the downstream side of the out port 46 of the game board 40. The out ball passage covering concave portion closes the back surface of the out ball passage engraved on the game board 40 so as to have a depth slightly lower than the diameter of the pachinko ball in the lower portion of the back surface of the out port 46. Out balls that flow down in the out ball passage covered by the covering concave portion are guided to an out ball discharge passage 102 (described later) of the mechanism plate 70 through an out ball guide passage formed in the lower support plate of the game board storage frame 58. It has become.

In the center of the lower part of the third winning ball collecting cover body 52, a board box locking member 56 is integrally formed. The board box locking member 56 fixes a lower portion of the game control board box 57 rotatably supported by the board box mounting member 55 described above. The third winning ball aggregate cover body 52 is formed of a transparent synthetic resin similarly to the first and second winning ball aggregate cover bodies 50 and 51, so that the inside can be visually recognized from the outside.

The configuration of the game board 40 has been described in detail above.
The game board storage frame 58 formed on the back side of the frame base 3 is stored and fixed. As is well known, the game board storage frame 58 is formed in a step shape on the back surface of the frame base 3 so as to house the game board 40 formed in a substantially square shape, and presses and fixes the back surface of the stored game board 40. Board locking lever 59 is attached to an appropriate portion of the game board storage frame 58. The lower portion of the game board storage frame 58 is a flat support plate on which the lower side of the game board 40 is placed, and the out ball guides the out ball to substantially the center of the support plate. A guide passage is formed. In the state where the game board 40 is stored and fixed by the game board locking lever 59, the mechanism plate 70 is covered from the back surface thereof. A shaft support 10 fixed to one side of a mechanism plate 70 on a shaft pin 62a projecting above and below a bearing 62 fixed to the
The locking pin 107 and the mechanism which are pivotally supported so as to be openable and closable by locking the shaft supporting holes 107 of the shaft supporting pieces protruding from the upper and lower ends of the game machine 6 and are set up at appropriate positions of the game board storage frame 58. The mechanism plate 40 can be held in a closed state by engaging with a latch lever 108 provided on the plate 70.

Next, the structure of the mechanism plate 70 provided on the back of the ball game machine 1 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG.
In the above, the mechanism plate 70 is mainly provided with a ball tank 72 for storing a prize ball and a ball arrangement rail 75 for guiding a prize ball stored in the ball tank 72 while aligning the prize ball on the downstream side. An intermediate component provided with a prize ball payout device 150 for paying out a prize ball based on a prize, and a lower component provided with a processing mechanism for processing a hit ball including a prize ball mainly driven into the game board 40 have a rear surface. It is integrally formed so as to form the U-shaped opening window 71 when viewed from above. For this reason, since one side of the game board 40 is opened when the mechanism plate 70 is closed, the game board 4
0 as described above, the drum storage box 4
7 and the game control board box 57, the mechanism plate 70 can be smoothly opened and closed. In particular, in the illustrated embodiment, a member that connects the upper component and the lower component is not provided on the opposite side of the intermediate component, but in consideration of the overall strength of the mechanism plate 70, the upper component and the lower component are not provided. Even when the connecting member for connecting the component parts is provided, the thick game control board box 57 is arranged not under the side but under the drum storage box 47 and the size of the U-shaped opening window 71 is large. Is a size that completely penetrates the game control board box 57 (the winning ball set cover body 5).
(The area is approximately the same as the area range of 0.51 and 52), so that the opening and closing operation of the mechanism plate 70 is performed smoothly.

The configuration of the mechanism plate 70 will be described below for each component. First, a ball tank 72 for storing a large amount of prize balls and a plurality of rows of prize balls supplied from the ball tank 72 (two rows in the present embodiment) are provided in the upper component.
A ball alignment rail 75 for causing the ball to flow down in a row, a curve gutter 77 for turning a prize ball guided by the ball alignment rail 75 toward a prize ball dispensing device 150 described below, and a ball gutter 77 provided above the curve gutter 77. Terminal board box 1
03 are provided at predetermined positions.

The ball tank 72 is mounted on a predetermined position of the upper component with screws by mounting pieces protruding on both right and left sides thereof. In addition, the ball tank 72
The top surface is formed in an open box shape, and a drop port communicating with the ball alignment rail 75 is opened downstream of the bottom face, and the bottom face is formed by a plurality of inclined bottom faces inclined toward the drop port. In addition, a ball deficiency detection lever (not shown) that is pivotally supported is provided on the inclined bottom surface above the drop opening, and a ball deficiency detector (not shown) is provided below the ball deficiency detection lever. Fixed. The ball deficiency detector derives a ball-out signal to a management computer (not shown) when the prize balls are insufficient in the ball tank 72.

The ball alignment rail 75 disposed downstream of the above-mentioned ball tank 72 is attached in an inclined manner from one end of the upper component to the other end, and a partition wall stands upright in the center of the inside as is well known. Has been established. This partition wall is a ball tank 7
The prize spheres flowing out of the falling ports 2 are formed gradually higher so as to be surely arranged in two rows on the left and right as they go downstream. In addition, on the downstream upper part of the ball alignment rail 75,
The ball leveling member 76 hangs down, and the prize ball flowing down on the ball alignment rail 75 in two stages is one stage.

Further, a downstream side of the ball alignment rail 75 is connected to a curved gutter 77 in which an inverted "C" -shaped passage is formed. The curve gutter 77 is used for the ball alignment rail 7.
5 changes the direction so that the prize balls flowing down in two rows in the front-rear direction (as viewed from the back of the mechanism plate 70) flow down in two rows in the left-right direction (also viewed from the back of the mechanism board 70). A bead opening is formed at the bent portion of the curve gutter 77, and the bead opening is closed and opened and closed by a bead removal valve 78. The ball extraction valve 78 is assumed to open and close a ball extraction port by swinging a ball extraction operating rod connected thereto by inserting a ball extraction pin from the front of the ball game machine 1 in the vertical direction. It is. Therefore, in the mechanism plate 70, a ball hole passage 79 is formed below the ball hole. The ball-drop passage 79 is formed continuously with the intermediate component and the lower component.

The upper component is provided with a terminal board box 103 in addition to the above-described configuration. The terminal board box 103 accommodates a terminal board therein. A power terminal to which a power line is connected, a signal terminal to which a signal line to the outside is connected, a fuse, a lamp, and the like are provided.

Next, the configuration of the intermediate component will be described. Two passage members 80 are fixed to the upper part of the intermediate component, and a prize ball dispensing device 150 constituting a main part of the present embodiment is fixed below the passage member 80. More specifically, the passage body 80 has a prize ball passage for letting down two rows of prize balls whose flow direction has been changed right and left by the curve gutter 77, and detects a broken ball upstream of the prize ball passage. Sensor 8
1 is coming. This broken-out detection sensor 81
Is for detecting the presence or absence of a prize ball in the prize ball passage. When one of the ball-break detection sensors 81 does not detect a prize ball, the motor 163 (stepping motor) of the prize ball payout device 150 is operated. Is stopped to inactivate the payout of the prize ball, and the ball breaking LED 8 is turned on. In addition, the burnout detection sensor 8
Reference numeral 1 is attached to a position for detecting a prize ball at a position where the total number of balls in the prize ball passages in two rows from the prize ball payout device 150 is the 27th to 28th balls. Also, the two passages 80 need not necessarily be provided side by side in the left-right direction, but may be provided in an overlapping manner in the front-rear direction.

The passage body 80 below the ball-break detecting sensor 81 has a front bent portion (not shown) bent in a direction perpendicular to the mechanism plate 70, and the prize ball payout device is formed by the front bent portion. It functions so as to reduce the load applied to the ball feed rotary member 175 described later. Also, the passage body 80
A ball stopper (not shown) is attached to the lower part of the box. In this ball stopping device, when the prize ball payout device 150 is mounted, the lower end of the swing stopper member (not shown) is retracted from the prize ball passage of the passage body 80 by the elevating rod (not shown) to pay out the prize ball. The prize ball is supplied to the device 150. However, when the prize ball payout device 150 is removed, the lower end of the swing stopper member enters the prize ball passage of the passage body 80. Ball dispensing device 150
Not to be supplied to

The prize ball dispensing device 150 attached below the intermediate component is integrated into a rectangular parallelepiped case, and rotates the ball feed rotary member 175 by the rotation of the stepping motor 163. The prize balls are paid out one by one. The passage body 80 and the prize ball payout device 150 are covered with an opening / closing cover body (not shown) that is rotatably supported on one side of the intermediate component. The prize ball payout device 150 will be described later in detail.

Next, the configuration of the lower component will be described. On the front side of the lower component (the side in contact with the game board 40), a prize-ball collecting gutter 94 is provided in an inclined shape substantially in the middle thereof. The prize ball collecting gutter 94 receives a prize ball that has won the variable prize ball device 42 or the like of the game board 40 and guides the prize ball to a prize ball processing device 97, which will be described later. A winning ball guide path 95 is formed, and the end of the winning ball guide path 95 extends from the front side to the rear side of the lower component to form a winning ball discharge path 96. A winning ball processing device 97 is provided in the middle of the winning ball discharging passage 96. The configuration of the winning ball processing device 97 will be described later in detail. Further, below the winning ball collecting gutter 94, an out ball discharging passage 102 is formed at a position corresponding to the end of the out ball guiding passage. The end of the out-ball discharge passage 102 joins with the prize-ball discharge passage 96 through which the prize-ball processed by the prize-ball processing device 97 flows down, and is discharged to the outside of the ball game machine 1.

On the other hand, a prize ball payout passage 87 is formed on the rear side of the lower component portion at one upper portion thereof.
An upper plate communication port 88 is formed at the lower end of the nozzle 7. The upper plate communication port 88 is provided on the upper plate 1 provided on the front surface of the ball game machine 1.
2 to lead the prize ball. A communication passage 89 is connected to one side of the upper plate communication opening 88, and an excess ball passage 90 is connected to an end of the communication passage 89. When a large number of prize balls based on winning are paid out and the upper plate 12 is filled with prize balls, and finally reaches the upper plate communication port 88 and further prize balls are continuously paid out, the prize balls are connected to the communication path. 89, and is led to the surplus ball passage 90.
Is discharged to the lower plate 21 via a connection gutter (not shown) attached to the rear surface of the lower plate 21. When the prize balls are further paid out, the lower plate 21 is also full. However, when the lower plate 21 reaches the full tank detection plate 91 provided on one side wall of the surplus ball passage 90, the full tank detection plate 91 becomes The ball is pressed by the prize ball and swings outward around the upper end spindle, whereby a full tank switch (not shown) is turned on,
The driving of the stepping motor 163 of the prize ball payout device 150 is stopped to inactivate the prize ball payout operation, and the driving of the hit ball motor 64 of the hit ball launching device 63 is stopped as necessary.

The above-described prize ball payout passage 87 and ball removal passage 7
9, the rear surfaces of the communication passage 89 and the surplus ball passage 90 are covered by a lower passage cover (not shown). In the present embodiment, the payout control circuit board 104 is
The upper plate communication port 88 on the pivot side of the mechanism plate 70 or the pivot side of the mechanism plate 70.
Is provided on the upper surface portion of the space formed by the ball removal passage 79 and the surplus ball passage 90 under the corner, and the winning ball processing device is provided at the corner of the lower component near the open side of the surplus ball passage 90. 97 is a processing device storage space for storing
After the winning ball processing device 97 is stored and fixed in the processing device storage space, it is closed by the processing device cover 101. Therefore, the above-mentioned winning ball collecting gutter 94 is configured to incline downward toward the opening side of the mechanical plate 70 in a direction opposite to that formed on the conventional mechanical plate.

The prize ball processing device 97 accommodated in the processing device storage space includes a prize ball detector 98 provided in the middle of a prize ball flow path, and one prize ball before and after the prize ball detector 98. It comprises a ball stop member 99 that is received and then flows downward, and a winning ball discharge solenoid 100 that drives the ball stop member 99.

The operation of the above-described winning ball processing device 97 will be briefly described.
In a normal state where 0 is OFF, the prize ball 99 is detected by the prize ball detector 98 and the ball stopping member 99 is detected.
Is projected below the winning ball detector 98. In such a state, a winning ball is generated and the winning ball is a winning ball detector 9.
8, the detection signal is output from the payout control circuit board 1 covered by a board cover 105 described later.
04, whereby the drive of the prize ball payout device 150 is controlled and a predetermined number of prize ball payout operations are performed. When the payout of the predetermined number of prize balls is completed, a drive signal is sent from the payout control circuit board 104 to the prize ball discharge solenoid 100 to turn on the prize ball discharge solenoid 100 for a predetermined time. When the winning ball discharge solenoid 100 is turned on, the ball stopping member 99 releases the winning ball detected by the winning ball detector 98 to the downstream side while preventing the next winning ball from entering the winning ball detector 98. Then, when the winning ball discharge solenoid 100 is turned off after a certain period of time, the ball stopping member 99 returns to the original state again, receives the next winning ball in the winning ball detector 98, and changes the winning ball by the winning ball. A payout operation is performed.

As described above, the prize ball processing device 97 in the present embodiment temporarily stops generated prize balls, and processes one prize ball each time a predetermined prize ball is paid out. At times, the generated winning balls remain as proof balls, so that no trouble occurs with the player. When the backup function is provided, all generated winning balls are stored without using such a winning ball processing device 97, and the stored winning balls are discharged to the outside of the ball game machine 1. You may do it. When the winning ball detector 98 is turned on, the payout LED 9 is lit for a predetermined time.

On the rear side of the mechanism plate 70 formed as described above, various circuit boards covered with the terminal board box 103 and the board cover 105 described above are detachably attached. Of these, the payout control circuit board 104 for controlling the operation of the prize ball payout device 150
Is provided at the lower portion of the mechanism plate 70 on the pivot side, and the wiring 34 from the card unit device 30 is directly connected to the payout control circuit board 104. The payout control circuit board 104 has connector terminals for connecting wiring from the prize ball payout device 150, the winning ball processing device 97, or the card unit device 30 as will be described in detail later. A hitting mode switch for selecting whether or not to stop the firing operation of the hitting ball at the time of the operation of 81, a display for displaying the type of failure numerically, a reset switch for resetting at the time of program runaway of the control operation, etc. are provided. Notches are provided in the substrate cover 105 so that they face the outside, and the substrate cover 105 is pivotally supported on one side and is provided to be freely opened and closed.

The payout control circuit board 104 receives a prize ball signal from the prize ball detector 98 and receives a prize ball payout device 150.
A drive start signal is derived to the stepping motor 163 of
Payout ball sensor 171 provided in the prize ball payout device 150
When the count value reaches a predetermined number of prize balls, the stepping motor 163 derives a drive stop signal to stop the prize ball payout operation. A drive signal is given to the ball discharge solenoid 100. In addition, when a signal from the out-of-ball detection sensor 81 or the full tank switch 92 is received, a stop signal is derived to the stepping motor 163 when the payout operation for the winning is completed or immediately. When there are two types of payout balls, the number of winning balls having the smaller payout ball number is stored, and the payout operation corresponding to the stored value is preferentially executed. Good.
In this way, even if the stored value is erased due to a power failure or the like, the player can pay out the game with a relatively large number of prize balls. If this is not taken into consideration, any of them may be designed to be stored. Similarly, when a ball lending request signal for a game ball is received from the card unit device 30, a predetermined number (for example, 25 pieces / 100 yen) of game balls is provided by the award ball payout device 150 by the same operation as described above. Pay out.

As described above, the mechanism plate 70 provided with various mechanisms for paying out prize balls, various control boards, and the like.
Is pivotally supported by the frame base 3 on the card unit device 30 side and is provided to be freely opened and closed. That is, as shown in FIG.
A shaft support member 106 fixed to the upper and lower sides of the mechanism plate 70 on shaft pins 62a projecting from upper and lower ends of a bearing member 62 provided along one side of the game board storage frame 58 of the frame base 3. It is provided to be openable and closable by inserting the shaft support hole 107,
In a state where the mechanism plate 70 is closed, the mechanism plate 70 is locked by a locking lever 108 provided at an appropriate position of the mechanism plate 70 on a locking pin protruding from the game board storage frame 58 so that the game board 40 is closed. Can be fixed to the back surface of the frame base 3 so as to cover the back surface of the frame base 3. It should be noted that the lower part of the latch lever 108 provided on the open side of the lower component is provided with the hitting ball launching device 63.
Is provided with a launcher connector 109 for supplying power.

Next, the configuration of the prize ball payout device 150 provided in the intermediate component on one side of the mechanism plate 70 will be described with reference to FIGS. The prize ball payout device 150 is formed integrally in the rectangular parallelepiped case 151 as described above, and this case 151 is completed by being divided into right and left parts and assembling them. Thus, each of the cases 151a and 151b is provided with the passage body 8 in front thereof.
Ball passage 153 (in each case 1)
The internal structures of 51a and 151b are almost bilaterally symmetric, and therefore, the symbols a and b are omitted). The a-b shape is bent and formed into a "U" shape, and a prize entered from the ball entrance 152 at the upper end of the ball passage 153. The balls are separated one by one by a ball feed rotator 175 provided in the middle of the ball passage 153, and are discharged from a discharge port 154 at the lower end of the ball passage 153.

The ball feed rotating body 175 is attached to the rotating shaft 190 with a washer 191 so as to face below the bent portion of the ball passage 153.
And is rotatably supported via the. More specifically, the ball-feeding rotating body 175 includes a plurality of (three) protruding portions 178 projecting from both ends of a columnar member while maintaining an interval for receiving a prize ball, and an outer periphery of the columnar member. And a plurality of (six) detection projections 179 projecting along one outer periphery of the gear 176 are integrally formed of synthetic resin. A central hole 180 formed in the center of the cylindrical member is rotatably supported by being inserted into a rotating shaft 190 which is inserted and supported slightly below and substantially forward of the center of one case 151a. The other end of the rotating shaft 190 is connected to the other case 151.
b is supported by a support hole 192 formed in the case 151b when assembled. In the inward portion of the gear 176 of the ball feed rotary member 175, a plurality of engagement indicating holes 177 serving as marks for engagement with the gear 165 to be described later are provided in the assembled state along the circumferential direction. The gear 176 is formed so as to be located at the center of each protruding portion 178 protruding on both right and left sides thereof. For this reason, when paying out the prize balls, which will be described in detail later, the projecting portions 178 are required.
The ball pressure of the prize ball according to the present invention is not deviated from side to side, and as a result, no extra load is applied to a stepping motor 163 which will be described later as a driving source of the ball feed rotary member 175, and the ball feed rotary member 175 rotates smoothly and is durable. It has come to improve the nature.

The ball feed rotary member 175 rotatably supported as described above is driven to rotate by the stepping motor 163 housed and supported in the motor housing space 160 formed behind the ball passage 153. That is, the stepping motor 163 is fixed to a motor fixing plate 162 provided so as to close the front surface of the one case 151a, and the gear 165 is fixed by projecting the output shaft 164 forward of the motor fixing plate 162. The gear 165 is a gear 1
Similarly to 76, an engagement indicating hole 166 serving as a meshing mark is formed so as to mesh with the gear 176. In addition, a connector 167 is provided above the stepping motor 163.
Conductive wire 168, payout ball sensor 171, position sensor 17
2. Sensor board 1 on which various electronic components 209 are mounted
69 (printed wiring board) are provided. Connector 16
Reference numeral 7 denotes an external wiring (wiring from the dispensing control circuit board 104). The conductive line 168 is
The sensor board 169 and the stepping motor 163 are connected. The electronic component 209 includes a circuit for processing a signal to make it difficult to add noise to the signal. The sensor substrate 169 includes the substrate 169.
A support hole 170 and a through-hole 181 for attaching to the case 151a are formed. The support hole 170 is provided in the through hole 1 of the partition member 193 in a state where the sensor substrate 169 is mounted in the substrate storage space 206 of the partition member 193 described later.
The sensor board 169 is attached to the case 151a by inserting the positioning protrusion 187 on the case 151a side together with the sensor substrate 94. The sensor board 169 is mounted on the partition member 193 by connecting one end of the sensor board 169 to the board storage space 20.
This is performed by engaging with an engagement groove 211 formed in the inside 6 (see FIG. 5C). The sensor board 169 is attached to the case 151a by inserting the positioning protrusion 186 on the case 151a side together with the through hole 173 of the motor fixing plate 162 into the through hole 181.

In order to fix the stepping motor 163 configured as described above to the case 151a,
Through holes 173 and 174 formed in motor fixing plate 162
The positioning projection 186 and the fastening hole 18 of the case 151a
2 and the holding boss 184 and the mounting boss 183 of the case 151b are inserted in a sandwiched state. At this time,
Between the positioning projection 186 and the holding projection 184, together with the through hole 173 of the motor fixing plate 162, the sensor board 169 is provided.
Through hole 181 is inserted. Then, the case 151b
The set screw 208 is inserted from the screw hole 185 of the fixing hole 1
By stopping 82, motor fixing plate 162 is firmly fixed in case 151. Screws between one case 151a and the other case 151b are screwed into the fixing holes 182 and the screw holes 185, as well as the fixing holes 188 and the screw holes 189 located diagonally to the above. This is also performed by screwing the screw 208. That is, the final assembling of the prize ball payout device 150 in the present embodiment can be performed with only two setscrews 208. Note that each case 151
A plurality of heat radiating holes 161 are formed on the outer wall surface of each of the case 151a and the case 151a.
A connection opening 159 for connecting to the connector 167 is formed on the rear upper surface of 51b.

When the motor fixing plate 162 and the sensor board 169 are fixed as described above, the gear 1 fixed to the output shaft 164 of the stepping motor 163 is fixed.
65 (hereinafter, referred to as a small-diameter gear) and a gear 176 (hereinafter, referred to as a large-diameter gear) of the ball-feeding rotary member 175 are meshed (the gear ratio is 1: 2). By the way, in the relation of the number of teeth between the large-diameter gear 176 and the small-diameter gear 165, the number of teeth of the large-diameter gear 176 is formed to be greater than the number of teeth of the small-diameter gear 165. A disadvantage of the small-sized stepping motor 163 that the vibration generated due to the roughness of the number is large is the small-diameter gear 1.
65 and the large-diameter gear 176 can be weakened, so that a smooth prize ball payout operation can be performed over a long period of time, and the load applied to the stepping motor 163 from the prize ball can be reduced. Performance can be improved.

The projecting portion 178 of the ball-feeding rotary member 175 enters the inside of the ball passage 153 as it rotates (see FIGS. 6 and 7). The ball is rotated while being stored, and is released at an obliquely lower point to pay out a prize ball from the discharge port 154. Note that the large-diameter gear 176 of the ball feed rotary body 175
Are formed alternately with each other. Therefore, the prize ball paid out from one ball passage 153 and the prize ball paid out from the other ball passage 153 are not paid out at the same time, but are paid out alternately. The prize balls received by the protrusions 178 are also guided by the arc-shaped guide pieces 156 that protrude from the inner walls of the cases 151a and 151b and are inserted between the rotation shaft 190 and the protrusions 178. At the same time, it comes into contact with the ball contact piece 202 of the ball passage detection member 200 which is provided swingably facing the lever side opening 155 formed at a position facing the guide piece 156.

The structure for mounting the above-mentioned ball passage detecting member 200 will now be described. As shown in FIG.
1b, a partition member 193 is arranged between the ball passages 153. The partition member 193 has a through hole 19 as described above.
4 is positioned and fixed together with the sensor substrate 169 by inserting the positioning protrusion 187 on the case 151a side. A guide piece 195 and a guide recess 196 are formed in the upper rear portion of the partition member 193 to smoothly guide the prize balls entering the ball entrances 152 of the cases 151a and 151b into the respective ball passages 153. ing. In addition, guide pieces 210 for guiding the winning ball smoothly into the ball passage 153 are also formed near the ball entrance 152 of each of the cases 151a and 151b (see FIGS. 5A and 5B). The partition member 193 has a notch 198 that forms a storage space for the ball passage detection member 200, and a spring 2 described later.
And a locking projection 197 that locks one end of the locking part 05.

A swing shaft 199 projecting from the case 151a is disposed in the space defined by the cutout 198, and the swing shaft 199 is pivotally supported by the swing shaft 199. The ball passage detection member 200 penetrates. The tip of the swing shaft 199 is supported by a support hole 207 formed in the other case 151b. The ball passage detecting member 200 supported by the swing shaft 199 has a shaft hole 201 formed at the rear portion of both ends thereof.
A swing shaft 199 is swingably supported, and a ball contact piece 202 is formed below both ends thereof, and a detection piece 203 is protruded substantially above the center thereof. The ball passage detecting member 200 is formed with a locking recess 204 for locking the other end of the spring 205 whose one end is locked to the locking projection 197.

Thus, the ball contact piece 202 is attached to each ball passage 1
Spring 2 so as to face 53 lever opening 155
05 when there is a prize ball moved by the ball feed rotating body 175.
Swing the ball passage detection member 200 against the urging force of
Due to the swinging operation, the detecting piece 203 causes the payout ball sensor 17
1, the number of payout balls to be paid out can be detected by the payout ball sensor 171. On the other hand, the position sensor 172 is for detecting whether or not the ball feed rotary member 175 is at an accurate position for receiving a prize ball, thereby enabling a smoother prize ball payout operation. Further, since the ball feed rotating body 175 always stops at a fixed position by the position sensor 172, it can be stopped at a position where the detent torque is strong. The detection operation of the position sensor 172 is performed when the detection protrusion 179 projecting from the back surface of the large-diameter gear 176 crosses (see FIG. 4).

Next, the shape of the ball passage 153 in the prize ball payout device 150 will be described with reference to FIG. Ball passage 1
As shown in FIG.
The bent portions 212 to 214 are formed before the sheet 5 is fed. Thus, winning balls, once the direction of rotation opposite side from the longitudinal center line L ₁ of the ball feeding rotary member 175 flowing down the ball passage 153 (the rotation of the ball feeding rotary member 175 is a clockwise direction in FIG. 6) inclined line L ₃ after the position (center of prize balls part on the center line L ₂ of the ball passage 153) were induced in (bent portion 2
14 in the direction of rotation along a line parallel to the inclined surface 14), the ball feed rotary body 175 in a state where the ball pressure is reduced.
It is to be sent to. In addition, ball passage 153
The position at which the player sends the prize ball to the ball feed rotary member 175 is located substantially above the center of the ball feed rotary member 175.
The detent torque of the stepping motor 163 (force for maintaining the stopped state when the motor 163 is stopped in a non-energized state, mainly the magnetic force of the permanent magnet constituting the motor 163) is a ball due to the ball pressure of the prize ball. The position is such that rotation of the feed rotating body 175 can be prevented. In other words, when the ball feed rotator 175 stops at a fixed position, the ball feed rotator 175 maintains the stopped state without rotating due to the ball pressure of the prize ball even when the power supply of the stepping motor 163 is stopped. It has become. Subsequent ball passages 153 are formed in a shape that bends along the rotation direction of the ball feed rotator 175, then extends vertically, and communicates with the discharge port 154. For this reason, the ball pressure of the prize ball is not applied in the reverse rotation direction of the ball feed rotator 175 until the ball feed rotator 175 discharges the received prize ball, so that the stepping motor 163 and the ball feed rotator 1
The burden of 75 (particularly the burden at the time of starting) is reduced. In addition, in the configuration in which the ball pressure is not applied in the reverse rotation direction of the ball feed rotating body 175, the shape of the protrusion 178 that supports the winning ball also acts. Specifically, the protrusion 17
8 is formed so that the thickness thereof becomes thinner (the inclination gradient is steeper) toward the reverse rotation direction of the ball feeding rotator 175, and when the prize ball is supported, the ball pressure direction of the prize ball is always changed to the ball feeding rotator. The rotation direction is 175. However, since the ball pressure of the prize ball is suppressed by the bent portions 212 to 214 and the like, no extreme force is applied and the load is not so much when the stepping motor 163 is stopped.

In the present embodiment, the rotation of the ball feed rotator 175 due to the ball pressure of the prize ball is prevented by feeding the prize ball substantially above the center of the ball feed rotator 175. The feeding position of the prize ball may be any position as long as the ball feed rotator 175 can prevent rotation of the ball feed rotator 175 due to the ball pressure of the prize ball or above the center or near the center. In addition, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 5C, the ball passage 153 has a ball inlet 15.
It has a twisted shape from 2 to the upper end portion of the ball feed rotating body 175, thereby enhancing the pressure reducing effect of the prize ball in a small space. Stepping motor 1
63 ball feed rotator 175 by the ball pressure of the prize ball at the time of non-energization
The frictional force between the gears 165 and 176 of the stepping motor 163 also acts as a force (static torque) for preventing the rotation of the stepping motor.

Next, an operation of paying out a prize ball by the prize ball payout device 150 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.
In the following description, as described in FIGS. 6 and 7, the prize balls sequentially paid out by the prize ball payout device 150 are “B _1.
The description will be made with reference to the reference symbol “B ₂ , B ₃ , B ₄ ”. First,
As shown in FIG. 6A, three prize balls B ₁ , B _2, and B ₃ flow down from the ball inlet 152 into the ball passage 153, and the lowermost prize ball B ₁ is projected to the protrusion 178 and the guide piece 156. by being supported by the contact with, winning balls _{B 1 · B 2 · B 3} ... B n ( FIG. 6
(A) above the winning balls from B ₃ of (B), FIG. 6 (C) (D) and FIG. 7 (A) ~ B ₄ from above the prize balls in (D) is not shown) linked together form (In a state where they contact each other), and stops in the ball passage 153. In addition, at this time, winning balls B ₁ · B ₂ ·
B ₃ is a ball passage 15 that bent portions 212 to 214 are formed
The ball pressure is reduced by flowing down through the inside 3, and as a result, the burden of the ball pressure applied to the ball feed rotating body 175 is greatly reduced. Furthermore, prize balls B ₁ the lowermost is a ball feeding rotary member 175
Of the stepping motor 163 (not shown in FIGS. 6 and 7), the ball feed rotary member 175 is stopped.
Maintain the stopped state without rotating due to the ball pressure of the prize ball. Thereafter, as shown in FIGS. 6B and 6C, the rotation drive of the gear 165 (the stepping motor 163) is performed.
When winning balls B ₁ by the rotation of the ball feeding rotary member 175 with the driving) of is sent to the rotation direction of the ball feeding rotary member 175,
Prize balls B ₄ which was above the prize balls B ₃ along with this Figure 6
Move to the position shown in (C). In addition, while the rotation of the ball feed rotary member 175 is continuously performed, the contact state between the prize balls B ₁ and B ₂ is broken, and the prize ball B ₂ is protruded.
Supported above (see FIG. 6D).

[0056] Thereafter, as shown in FIG. 7 (A) ~ (C) , further the ball feeding rotary member 175 is winning balls B ₁ rotates is sent to the rotation direction of the ball feeding rotary member 175, winning balls B
₁ is to press the ball contact piece 202 from the contact state of the ball passage detection member 200 with the ball contact piece 202 and
Swing 0. Then, as shown in FIGS. 7 (C) and 7 (D),
The detection piece 203 is caused by the swinging operation of the ball passage detection member 200.
When the player turns on the payout ball sensor 171, the support state of the prize ball B ₁ by the protrusion 178 collapses almost simultaneously with this, and the prize ball B ₁
Is discharged from the discharge port 154 by gravity (winning balls B ₁ is paid out). Incidentally, immediately after dispensing a prize balls B _1, ball passage detection member 200, a spring 205 (FIG. 6
7 (not shown in FIG. 7), the payout ball sensor 171 returns to the original state in which the payout ball sensor 171 was turned off. Also, with the dispensing operation of the prize balls B _1, winning balls B ₂ is
Like the support state of the on protrusion 178 and the prize balls B ₁ shown in FIG. 6 (A), the process proceeds to support state by contact between the protrusion 178 and the guide strip 156. In addition, FIG.
By rotating until the state shown in FIG. 7A is reached, one winning ball in the ball passage 153 on the back side is discharged as shown in FIGS. 7A to 7D. Thereafter, by repeating the above operation, the prize balls are discharged alternately and the prize balls B ₂ , B _3, ... Are sequentially paid out while counting the number of payouts by the payout ball sensor 171.

The driving of the stepping motor 163, which is the driving source of the above-described ball feed rotary member 175, is controlled based on the ON / OFF operation of the payout ball sensor 171 and the position sensor 172. In particular,
As shown in FIG. 8, when the payout of the prize ball is stopped, as shown in FIG. 6A, the detent torque of the stepping motor 163 causes the rotation of the ball feed rotator 175 due to the ball pressure of the prize ball. The ball feed rotary member 175 is stopped. Therefore, the power supply to the stepping motor 163 is stopped (OFF state). At this time, the payout ball sensor 171 is in the ON state in which the detection piece 203 of the ball passage detection member 200 does not enter the inside, and the position sensor 172 has the detection projection piece 179 of the ball feed rotating body 175 entering the inside. In the ON state. Thereafter, when paying out the prize balls, the power is supplied (ON) to the stepping motor 163 and the ball feeding rotating body 17 is turned on.
5 is driven to rotate.

Then, as shown in FIG. 7C,
When the prize ball rotated by the ball feed rotating body 175 swings the ball passage detection member 200 to pay out the prize ball, the detection piece 203 enters the payout ball sensor 171 and turns off the payout ball sensor 171. Thereby, the payout ball sensor 17
1 detects that one prize ball has been paid out. At substantially the same time, the position sensor 172 detects the detection projection 179.
Is removed from the inside and turned off, and the ball feed rotating body 175
At the payout position of the winning ball. Immediately after the prize ball is paid out, the detecting piece 203 is removed from the payout ball sensor 171 by the urging force of the spring 205,
The payout ball sensor 171 is turned ON. Also, the position sensor 1
At 72, the detection projection piece 179 is intruded into the inside and turned ON. Thereafter, by continuously rotating the ball feed rotating body 175, the payout of payout balls is sequentially performed, and the above-described ON / OFF switching of the payout ball sensor 171 and the position sensor 172 is repeated. And such a payout ball sensor 1
Upon detecting that a predetermined number (5 in this embodiment) of payout balls have been paid out by switching ON / OFF of the position sensor 172 and the position sensor 172, the power supply to the stepping motor 163 is stopped (OFF) based on this. Then, the rotation drive of the ball feed rotating body 175 is stopped, and the payout ball payout operation ends. As described above, in the present embodiment, power is supplied to the stepping motor 163 only when paying out a prize ball. Therefore, the prize ball dispensing device 15
Since the power consumption of 0 can be minimized, a decrease in the durability of the stepping motor 163 due to heat generation or the like can be avoided.

Next, the ball pressure of the prize ball applied to the ball feed rotator 175 of the prize ball payout device 150 will be described with reference to FIG. In FIG. 6 (A), Tama圧of prize balls B ₃ located at the uppermost end of the ball passage 153 relates to a prize balls B ₂ as a pressing force C _1, the pressing force C ₁ is the winning balls B ₂ Ball passage 15
3 (in the figure, the drag C from the wall)
₂ ) and a force C ₃ for pressing the prize ball B ₁ (in the figure, a drag C ₄ for the pressing force C ₃ is also shown). The pressing force C _{3 applied} to the prize ball B ₁ is determined by the force pressing the guide piece 156 (in the drawing, the drag C ₅ from the guide piece 156 is used).
) And a force for pressing the projecting portion 178 of the ball feed rotary member 175 (in the figure, a drag C ₆ from the projecting portion 178).
Are shown). That is, Tama圧of winning balls B ₃ is finally ball feed rotary member with a force commensurate with drag C ₆ 17
Press 5. Since this force acts in the direction opposite to the vector direction of the drag C ₆ shown in FIG. 6A, the ball feed rotator 175 changes the ball pressure of the prize ball B _{3 in} the rotation direction (FIG. 6A).
Clockwise direction). The ball pressure of each of the prize balls B ₁ and B ₂ is also the ball feed rotation as a force in the direction opposite to the vector direction of the drag C ₆ (the rotation direction of the ball feed rotator 175), similarly to the ball pressure of the prize ball B _3. Hang on body 175. In addition, the ball pressure of the prize ball applied during the rotation operation of the ball feed rotator 175 is always applied in the rotation direction of the ball feed rotator 175 (see FIGS. 6B to 7D). ).

As described above, the prize ball payout device 15 according to the present embodiment.
Although the configuration of No. 0 has been described in detail, the prize ball dispensing device 150 according to the present embodiment includes a plurality of (two in the present embodiment) ball passages 153 that cause the prize balls to flow down in an aligned manner. A ball feed rotator 175 that receives and pays out prize balls flowing down the ball passages 153 of each row one by one in each row, and a stepping motor 16 serving as a driving source of the ball feed rotator 175.
3, a ball passage detection member 200 that is linked with the passage of a prize ball in each row flowing down the ball passage 153 in two rows, and a payout that detects the movement of the ball passage detection member 200 as the number of prize ball payouts. And a ball sensor 171.
, The driving of the stepping motor 163 is controlled based on the detection operation. For this reason, one ball passage detection member 200 can cope with a prize ball that flows down the ball passages 153 in a plurality of rows alternately, and it is necessary to provide the payout ball sensor 171 for each row in which the prize ball flows down. Without
The number of prize balls paid out can be detected at low cost.
Further, since the number of rows of the ball passages 153 is not reduced in the middle, it is possible to avoid a ball jam in the ball passages 153, and it is possible to cause a smooth prize ball payout operation.

Conventionally, a general prize ball payout device detects the number of payout balls by detecting the passage of the prize ball by a payout detector. For this reason, conventionally, when a foreign matter passes through the payout detector, there is a possibility that the foreign matter is erroneously detected as a prize ball. On the other hand, the prize ball payout device 1 of the present embodiment
At 50, the movement of the ball passage detection member 200 interlocked with the passage of the prize ball is detected by the payout ball sensor 171 as the number of payouts of the prize ball. If the ball passage detection member 200 does not interlock, there is no erroneous detection, and the payout number of winning balls can be detected more reliably.

Further, the detecting piece 20 is attached to the ball passing detecting member 200.
Since the payout ball sensor 171 detects the movement of the ball passing detection member 200 directly by the payout ball sensor 171, the payout ball sensor 171 detects the intrusion operation of the detection piece 203 as the payout ball payout number. Therefore, the detection mechanism can be simplified, which leads to a reduction in cost. In addition, since the spring 205 for urging the ball passage detection member 200 in the direction of releasing the detection piece 203 from the payout ball sensor 171 is provided, the ball passage detection member 200 moves due to vibration or the like, and the ball passage detection member 200 171
Can be avoided from being erroneously detected, and the payout number of winning balls can be detected more reliably.

The above embodiment does not limit the present invention, and various modifications can be made within the scope of the present invention. In the above embodiment, while reducing the ball pressure of the prize ball in the ball passage, in order to prevent the ball pressure of the prize ball applied to the ball feed rotator from being applied in the reverse rotation direction of the ball feed rotator,
The ball passage 153 is formed such that the prize ball once guided in the direction opposite to the rotation direction from the vertical center line of the ball feed rotation body 175 flows down in the rotation direction side, and the award ball is fed from substantially above the center of the ball feed rotation body 175. Is formed, but the shape of the ball passage is not limited to this. For example, as shown in FIG. 9A, a prize ball is caused to flow down in a vertical direction (or the rotation direction of the ball feed rotary member 175) as in a ball passage 153 'of a prize ball payout device 150', and then the prize is released. The ball is moved at a position L ₄ on the rotation direction side of the vertical center line L ₁ of the ball feeding rotator 175.
Even when the ball is fed from above the center of the ball, the ball pressure of the prize ball is reduced in the ball passage, and the ball pressure of the prize ball applied to the ball feed rotator is not applied in the reverse rotation direction of the ball feed rotator. Can be

Further, the shape of the ball feed rotating body 175 is not limited to the shape described in the embodiment. However, if the screw is used to guide the ball in a direction other than the direction of rotation, the ball tends to rotate in the direction opposite to the ball pressure, causing ball jams (balls are caught between the screw and the guide wall). Since it is easy and there is a problem in the durability of the rotating shaft, it is desirable that the rotating direction and the direction of guiding the ball coincide with each other as in the present embodiment. Further, in the embodiment, the ball feed driving means of the present invention is a motor, but the present invention is not limited to this, and a solenoid or the like may be used. In addition, as a method of using the solenoid, it is possible to use the solenoid as a stopper for supporting a prize ball, in addition to the method used as a drive source of the ball feed rotating body as in the embodiment.

In the above-described embodiment, the prize ball discharged from the left and right ball passages 153 is used for one ball passage detecting member 2.
Although the detection is performed at 00, the configuration is not particularly limited to this configuration. For example, as shown in FIG. 10, a pair of left and right ball passage detection members 200a and 200b may be provided so as to correspond to the left and right ball passages 153, respectively. Like the ball passage detection member 200, the ball passage detection members 200a and 200b respectively have shaft holes 201a and 201b for pivotally supporting the swing shaft 199, and the ball contact piece 20.
2a and 202b, detection pieces 203a and 203b, and locking recesses 204a and 204b are formed. In addition,
The ball passage detection member 200 is provided with a pair of ball contact pieces 202 on the left and right so as to correspond to the left and right ball passages 153. However, the ball passage detection member 200a has one ball contact piece 202a corresponding to the left ball passage 153. Only, the ball passing detection member 200
b is a ball contact piece 202b corresponding to the ball path 153 on the right side.
Are provided only once. Also, the ball passage detection member 200a
The springs 205a and 205b are provided for the individual 200b so as to be able to swing independently, and a washer 215 is provided between the ball passage detecting members 200a and 200b.

Then, the above-mentioned ball passage detecting member 200a
Swings as the prize ball flows down the ball path 153 on the left side, and the ball passage detection member 200b moves the ball path 153 on the right side.
Swings as the prize ball flows down. Thus, a pair of left and right ball passage detection members 200a / 2
00b alternately swings as prize balls are sequentially discharged from the left and right ball passages 153, and the detection pieces 203a and 203b
Are alternately made to enter the payout ball sensor 171 to detect the paid out prize balls. When a plurality of ball passage detecting members are provided in accordance with the number of rows of the ball passages in this way, the prize balls of each row are shared by the ball passage detecting members, thereby increasing the durability of the ball passage detecting members. Can be improved.

The following are examples of the invention that can be grasped from the embodiments described above. (1) It is characterized by including a position detecting means (position sensor 172) for detecting whether or not the ball feed member (ball feed rotating body 175) is at an accurate position for receiving a winning ball. With this configuration, clogging and erroneous detection can be prevented as much as possible, and payout of prize balls can be performed more smoothly. (2) The movable member is operated by the prize ball while a force for sending out the ball feed rotating body is applied to the prize ball. With this configuration, the movable member operates reliably, and erroneous detection can be prevented as much as possible. Also, even if the ball passage is narrowed so that the movable member can be pressed securely,
It can be discharged evenly by the force of the ball feed rotating body.

[0068]

As is apparent from the above description, according to claim 1 of the present invention, a prize ball of a ball game machine that pays out a predetermined number of prize balls based on generated prize balls. In the dispensing device, a plurality of rows of ball passages for causing the prize balls to flow down in an aligned manner, a ball feeding member for receiving and sequentially paying out one prize ball for each row in the plurality of rows of ball paths, A ball feed drive unit serving as a drive source for the ball feed member, a movable member that moves with the passage of a prize ball for each row flowing down the plurality of rows of ball passages, and a movement of the movable member that moves the ball. One detecting means for detecting the number of payouts,
The movable member includes a plurality of ball contact pieces individually provided in the plurality of rows of ball passages and pressed by prize balls flowing down the ball passages, and an operation interlocked with an operation of the plurality of ball contact pieces is detected. And a detection piece detected by the means. The ball feed driving means is controlled based on a detection operation of the detection means. With this configuration, the movable member can cope with a prize ball that alternately flows down a plurality of rows of ball passages, so that it is not necessary to provide a detection unit for each row where the prize ball flows down, The number of prize balls paid out can be detected at low cost. Also,
Since the number of rows of ball passages is not reduced in the middle, it is possible to avoid ball jams in the ball passages, and it is possible to cause a smooth prize ball payout operation. Furthermore, since the movement of the movable member can be directly detected by the detection means, the detection mechanism can be simplified, and the cost can be reduced.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a prize ball dispensing device for a ball game machine which pays out a predetermined number of prize balls based on a generated prize ball. A row of ball passages, a ball feed member that receives and pays out one by one each of the prize balls flowing down the plurality of rows of ball passages, and ball feed driving means that is a driving source of the ball feed member, A plurality of movable members that are individually provided in the plurality of rows of ball passages and move independently of each other with the passage of the prize balls flowing down the ball passages; The movable member includes a ball contact piece pressed by a prize ball flowing down the ball passage, and an operation interlocked with an operation of the ball contact piece. And a detection piece detected by Feed driving means being controlled on the basis of the detection operation of the detection means. With this configuration, the movable member can cope with a prize ball that alternately flows down a plurality of rows of ball passages, so that it is not necessary to provide a detection unit for each row where the prize ball flows down, The number of prize balls paid out can be detected at low cost. In addition, since the number of rows of the ball passages is not reduced in the middle, it is possible to avoid a ball jam in the ball passages, and it is possible to cause a smooth prize ball payout operation. Furthermore, the durability of the movable member can be improved by sharing the prize balls in each row with each movable member.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, an elastic member is provided for urging the movable member so that the operation of the detecting piece is not detected by the detecting means.
With this configuration, it is possible to prevent the movable member from moving due to vibration or the like and to erroneously detect the movement, so that it is possible to more reliably detect the prize ball payout operation.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a front view of a ball game machine according to one embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the ball game machine.

FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the winning ball payout device.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the prize ball payout device.

5A is a top view of the prize ball payout device, FIG. 5B is a partial cross-sectional side view of the prize ball payout device, and FIG. FIG.

6 (A) to 6 (D) are explanatory views showing a prize ball payout operation by the prize ball payout device.

FIGS. 7A to 7D are explanatory diagrams showing a prize ball payout operation by the prize ball payout device.

FIG. 8 is a time chart showing a driving operation of a stepping motor and a detection operation of a position sensor and a payout ball sensor.

FIG. 9A is a longitudinal sectional view showing a prize ball payout device according to another embodiment, and FIG. 9B is a longitudinal sectional view showing a conventional prize ball payout device.

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view showing a ball passage detection member according to another embodiment.

[Explanation of symbols]

 Reference Signs List 1 ball game machine 40 game board 70 mechanism board 104 payout control circuit board (drive control means) 150 prize ball payout device 151 / 151a / 151b case 153 ball passage 156 guide piece 163 stepping motor (ball feed drive means) 164 output shaft 165 gear 171 payout ball sensor (detection means) 172 position sensor 175 ball feed rotating body (ball feed member) 176 gear 190 rotation shaft 200 ball passage detection member (movable member) 202 ball contact piece 203 detection piece 205 spring (elastic member) 212-214 bending part

Claims (3)

[Claims] 1. A prize ball dispensing device for a ball game machine that dispenses a predetermined number of prize balls based on a generated prize ball, wherein a plurality of rows of ball passages for causing the prize balls to flow down in an array. A ball-feeding member that receives one prize ball flowing down in the plurality of rows of ball passages and pays out the balls one by one in each row; ball-feed driving means serving as a driving source of the ball-feeding member; A movable member that moves with the passage of the prize ball of each row flowing down, and one detection unit that detects the movement of the movable member as the number of payouts of the prize ball, wherein the movable member includes: A plurality of ball contact pieces individually provided in a plurality of rows of ball passages and pressed by prize balls flowing down the ball passages; and a detection in which an operation interlocked with the operation of the plurality of ball contact pieces is detected by the detection means. And the ball feed driving means, An award ball payout device for a ball game machine, which is controlled based on a detection operation of a means. 2. A prize ball dispensing device for a ball game machine that dispenses a predetermined number of prize balls based on generated prize balls, wherein a plurality of rows of ball passages for causing the prize balls to flow down in an aligned manner; A ball-feeding member that receives one prize ball flowing down in the plurality of rows of ball passages and pays out the balls one by one in each row; ball-feed driving means serving as a driving source of the ball-feeding member; And a plurality of movable members, each of which is independently movable with the passage of a prize ball flowing down the ball passage, and detecting the movement of each of the plurality of movable members as the number of payouts of the prize ball. The movable member, a ball contact piece pressed by a prize ball flowing down the ball passage, and a detection piece in which the operation in conjunction with the operation of the ball contact piece is detected by the detection means. And the ball feed driving means is A prize ball payout device for a ball game machine, which is controlled based on a detecting operation of a detecting means. 3. The ball game machine according to claim 1, further comprising an elastic member for urging the movable member so that the detection means does not detect the operation of the detection piece. Prize ball payout device.