JPS6127069B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a ball hitting control device for a pinball game machine, and in particular to a pinball game machine such as a pachinko game machine or a coin game machine that plays by hitting a spherical object with electric power. The present invention relates to a ball hitting control device for a pinball game machine that can change the interval between balls hit.

Generally, pinball game machines such as pachinko game machines and coin game machines, which are played by hitting pachinko balls electrically, are put into practical use and are popular among players as one of the convenient cash registers.

The conventional electric ball hitting mechanism in pinball game machines is
For example, the configuration is as shown in FIG. Referring to FIG. 6, a ball hitting cam 19 is rotated by the motor 18, and a pin 154 provided on a lever 153 is hooked by the ball hitting cam 19. Since the lever 153 and the ball-striking rod 15 are fixed, the ball-striking cam 19 moves the pin 154
When the ball is hooked, the ball hitting rod 15 is moved in the y direction from the ball hitting position shown by the dashed line and tilted as shown by the solid line. When the rotation of the ball hitting cam 19 in the x direction progresses and the engagement between the cam 19 and the pin 154 is released, the ball hitting rod 15 instantly returns to its original ball hitting position due to the tension of the spring member 14. , firing lever 16
A pachinko ball P set at is fired. In the figure, reference numerals 17 and 134 are stoppers for preventing the batting rod 15 from moving more than necessary.

The hitting strength of the pachinko ball P can be adjusted by adjusting the strength with which the wire 131 is pulled in the direction of arrow F.

By the way, in the conventional electric ball hitting mechanism, the problem of hitting the ball is fixed and cannot be changed. However, some players have a desire to change the interval between hits, such as firing pachinko balls at relatively short intervals or firing pachinko balls at relatively long intervals. Furthermore, if the interval between hits could be arbitrarily changed depending on the progress of the game, it would be possible to make the pinball game machine more desirable for players.

In order to meet such demands, in the conventional electric ball hitting mechanism configured as shown in Fig. 6,
What you need to do is adjust the rotational speed of the motor 18.
It's easy to think of. Actually, in order to control the rotation speed of the motor 18, an electric ball hitting mechanism including a variable frequency setting device, a variable resistor, a thyristor control device, etc. has been proposed.

However, in the conventional electric ball hitting mechanism as shown in FIG. 6, if the rotational speed of the motor 18 is simply controlled, it is possible to change the firing interval of pachinko balls, but it is not possible to change the firing interval by shortening the firing interval. It has been actually confirmed that there is a difference in the hitting strength (distance or way of flight) of pachinko balls depending on the length of the ball.

To explain in more detail, in the electric ball hitting mechanism as shown in FIG. Since the pachinko ball P is pulled to the ball firing position, the ball hitting strength of the pachinko ball P appears to be uniquely determined by the tension of the spring member 14. It is true that the strength of the ball hit is largely determined by the tension of the spring member 14. however,
When I experimented, I found the following: For example, when firing 100 pachinko balls per minute, that is, rotating the hitting cam 19 at 33 rpm, and when firing 60 pachinko balls per minute, that is, rotating the hitting cam 19 at 20 rpm. When compared with the case of spinning, even if the tension of the spring member 14 was maintained at the same level, results were obtained in which the hitting strength of the pachinko ball, that is, the flight distance, was different.

Considering the reason for this, while the ball hitting cam 19 is rotating relatively fast, the pin 154 is strongly pushed due to the inertial force included in the rotational speed of the ball hitting cam 19, and the pin 154 is physically connected to the ball hitting cam 19. It is considered that the ball hitting rod 15 is tilted at an angle greater than the angle at which it is disengaged from the ball hitting rod 154.

On the other hand, when the ball hitting cam 19 rotates relatively slowly, there is no inertial force of the ball hitting cam 19, and the ball hitting rod 15 must be tilted only to the position where the cam 19 and the pin 154 physically disengage. Conceivable.

In this way, depending on the rotational speed of the ball hitting cam 19, in other words, the rotational speed of the motor 18,
It is thought that a slight difference in the inclination of the ball rod 15 and a slight difference in the stroke of the ball rod 15 will appear as a large difference in the flight distance of the pachinko ball.

Therefore, in a conventional electric ball hitting mechanism that can change the ball hitting interval by simply controlling the rotational speed of the motor 18, the player can shoot pachinko balls at relatively short intervals or at relatively short intervals. When firing pachinko balls at long intervals, the operating position of the ball hitting handle (operating handle) must be changed each time, resulting in poor operability.

Therefore, the main purpose of this invention is to be able to always launch a spherical object with a constant strength (initial velocity) even if the firing interval of the spherical object is changed, and the flight distance will not change depending on the change in the firing interval. It is an object of the present invention to provide a ball hitting control device for a pinball game machine.

To summarize the invention, there is provided a detection means for detecting that the ball batting rod is stopped at a predetermined position in relation to a predetermined stopping position of the ball batting rod for hitting a pachinko ball. Even if the firing interval of pachinko balls is changed, or in other words, the rotational speed of the electric motor is changed, the electric motor is adjusted so that the ball hitting cam, that is, the electric motor, stops each time the ball hitting cam engages and disengages from the pin. Intermittent rotation is performed, and the rising speed when the ball hitting cam starts to engage with the pin is kept constant.
The pin is pushed and moved at the same rising speed, and the stroke of the batting rod is controlled to always remain constant.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a ball hitting mechanism 10 in a pinball game machine according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2A and 2B are illustrative views showing the operating state of the ball hitting mechanism 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, for example, FIG. 2A shows a state in which the ball hitting operation is stopped, and FIG. 2B shows a state in which the ball hitting mechanism 10 is in operation. shows. Next, the configuration of the ball hitting mechanism 10 of this embodiment will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2.

The front panel (not shown) of the pinball game machine is provided with a ball hitting handle 11 for adjusting the hitting strength of the pachinko ball, and a ball hitting switch (described later) for issuing a ball hitting command by pressing the handle 11. SW shown in Figure 3) is provided, and a ball speed adjustment knob (not shown; a knob for varying the resistance value of the variable resistor VR shown in Figure 3, which will be described later) is provided to adjust the ball speed. provided. In the part corresponding to the ball hitting handle 11 on the back side of this pinball game machine,
A gear 121 that is rotated by rotation of the ball hitting handle 11 and a gear 122 that meshes with the gear 121 and transmits the rotation of the ball hitting handle to a gear 123 are provided. A fan-shaped wire winding member 132, which is rotated by the rotation of the ball hitting handle 11 and connected to one end of a wire 131, is fixed to the gear 123. This wire 131 is connected to one end of the spring member 14 via a pulley 133, and is held slidably by a wire receiving member 134. This spring member 14
The other end is connected to the batting rod 15. The ball hitting rod 15 is rotatably supported by a support member 151, and has a protrusion 152 formed at its tip for hitting pachinko balls that are successively guided to the firing rail 16. A lever 153 is fixed to the portion of the ball hitting rod 15 supported by the support member 151, and a pin 154 is fixed to the tip of the lever 153. Further, a shielding plate 156 is fixed to the other end (lower side in the figure) 155 of the ball hitting rod 15 . Corresponding to the other end 155 of this batting rod 15,
A stopper 17 is provided for engaging the other end 155 and stopping the ball hitting rod 15 so that the ball hitting rod 15 is at a predetermined stopping position. Further, in relation to the lever 154, a ball hitting cam 19, which is rotated intermittently at a constant angle by the rotational force of an electric motor (hereinafter referred to as motor) 18, is disposed at a position where it can engage with the pin 154. This motor 18 is a geared motor having a built-in gear for reducing the rotation speed, and a ball-hitting cam 1 is attached to the gear shaft of the reduced final stage.
It is constructed by fixing 9. The arcuate protrusions of the ball-striking cam 19 (the illustration shows three protrusions provided every 120 degrees) and the pin 154 provided at the tip of the lever 153 fixed to the ball-striking rod 15. When the ball hitting cam 19 makes contact with the ball hitting cam 19 and the ball hitting cam 19 rotates by a certain angle by pushing the pin 154 with the arcuate protrusion of the ball hitting cam 19, the ball hitting cam 19 and When the contact with the pin 154 is released, the ball hitting rod 15 is pulled by the tension of the spring member 14, thereby hitting the pachinko ball guided onto the firing rail 16.

Detection means 20 are provided on both sides of the shield plate 156 to detect whether the ball batting rod 15 is stopped at a predetermined stop position. This detection means 2
For example, a photoelectric device having a light emitting part and a light receiving part is used as the light emitting part, and a predetermined position is detected depending on the state in which the light emitted from the light emitting part is blocked by a shielding plate 156. It is. In addition, in the explanation of FIG. 3 described later, as an example of the light projecting part and the light receiving part,
Although the case of a light emitting diode and cadmium sulfide (hereinafter referred to as Cds) is shown, other photoelectric devices may be used. In addition, as another example of the detection means, the shielding plate 1
A reed switch may be used in which a magnet is fixed to the magnet 56 and the detection output is derived by the proximity of the magnet.Furthermore, the shielding plate 156 may be made of a metallic material and the detection means may be made of a metallic material. Proximity switches may also be used to derive the output. The output of the detection means 20 is applied to a ball-hitting control circuit shown in FIG. 3, which will be described later, and the detection means 20 is integrally provided on a mounting board for electronic components of the ball-hitting control circuit.

FIG. 3 is a ball hitting control circuit diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. In the configuration, the ball hitting control circuit 30 is a ball hitting switch SW provided on the front of the pinball game machine.
, the motor 18, the detection means 20, and a rectifier circuit 31 for supplying DC power to the electronic circuit.
, a power control circuit 32 that controls the power supplied to the motor 18, and a power control circuit 32 that controls the power supplied to the motor 18.
A batting ball speed adjustment circuit 33 for adjusting the batting ball speed by varying the energization period, and a switching circuit 3.
4.

Next, with reference to FIGS. 1 to 3, the operation of this embodiment will be explained along with the specific circuit configuration of FIG. 3.

When the player presses the ball hitting switch SW provided on the front, the power supply voltage (e.g.
24 volts) is supplied, half-wave rectified by a diode D1 included in the rectifier circuit 31, smoothed by a smoothing capacitor C1, and DC power is supplied to other electronic circuits. In the initial state, the shielding plate 15
6 is a light emitting diode 21 included in the detection means 20
Since it is located between CdS22 and CdS22
is not conductive. At this time, the DC current supplied through the rectifier circuit 31 flows through the resistor R1, the resistor R2, the variable resistor VR, the resistor R3, and the capacitor C2, and the capacitor C2 is charged. The charging time constant of this capacitor C2 is the resistance R1, R2, R
3 and the resistance value of variable resistor VR and capacitor C
The ball hitting period (ie, speed) is determined by the resistance value of the variable resistor VR. When the charging voltage of this capacitor C2 exceeds the Zener voltage of the Zener diode ZD, the transistor T1 becomes conductive, thereby causing a voltage difference between the resistors R4 and R6 to be applied to the connection point between the emitter of the transistor T1 and the base of the transistor T2. A voltage with a fixed relatively high potential is supplied. depending on,
Transistor T2 becomes conductive, and transistor T3 becomes conductive due to conduction of transistor T2.

When the AC power source e in the conductive state of the transistor T3 has the illustrated polarity, the AC power source e is connected to the ball hitting switch SW, the motor 18, the diode D3 of the diode bridge circuit DB, and the transistor T3.
Current flows through diode D4 and motor 18
energize. On the other hand, when the AC power supply e has a polarity opposite to that shown in the figure, the diode D6-transistor T3-
Diode D5-Motor 18-Ball hitting switch SW
A current flows through and energizes the motor 18. In this manner, when the ball-striking switch SW is pressed, the motor 18 is energized and rotated, and the arc-shaped protrusion of the ball-striking cam 19 moves the pin 154 in the direction of the arrow x shown in FIG. 2B. In order to rotate the ball, the ball hitting rod 15 is rotated in the direction of the arrow y. At this time, the charged potential of the capacitor C2 is rapidly discharged through the resistor R3, the diode D2, the transistor T2, and the transistor T3, so that the transistor T1 turns off and the transistor T2 also tries to turn off. However, since the shielding plate 156 is rotated in the Z direction, the light emitted from the light emitting diode 21 irradiates the CdS 22 . Accordingly, CdS2
2 becomes conductive, and a relatively high voltage determined by the voltage division ratio between the resistor R5 and the resistor R6 is supplied to the end of the base plate of the transistor T2. This maintains the conduction state of transistor T2.

As described above, the ball hitting cam 19 is connected to the ball hitting rod 1.
When the pin 154 provided in connection with the spring member 15 is pushed down in the x direction, when the arcuate protrusion and the pin 154 come out of contact, the ball hitting rod 15 is moved in the y direction by the tensile force of the spring member 14. The pachinko ball is pulled in the opposite direction, thereby hitting the pachinko ball along the launch rail 16. When the ball-striking rod 15 returns to its original state (that is, the state shown in FIG. 2A), the other end 155 of the ball-striking rod 15 hits the stopper 17 and is stopped at a predetermined position. At this time, the shielding plate 156 again connects the light emitting diode 21 and the CDS 2.
CdS 22 is turned off in order to shield between it and 2. Therefore, the relatively high voltage necessary for transistor T2 to conduct is no longer supplied to the base of transistor T2, and transistors T2 and T
3 is turned off.

Then, the DC current output from the rectifier circuit 31 again flows from resistor R1 to resistor R2 to variable resistor VR to resistor R3 to
Capacitor C2 is charged via capacitor C2. Then, capacitor C2 becomes variable resistor again.
When charged to a predetermined potential with a delay of a charging time constant determined by VR adjustment, the transistor T1 is made conductive via the Zener diode ZD.
This makes transistor T2 conductive. Therefore, the motor 18 is driven to rotate again, thereby rotating the ball hitting cam 19 by a certain angle.

Note that by variably adjusting the resistance value of the variable resistor VR, the charging time constant of the transistor C2 is changed, and thereby the conduction period of the transistors T2 and T3 included in the power control circuit 32 is variably controlled. As a result, the energization period of the motor 18 is varied, and the ball hitting speed is varied.

As described above, according to this embodiment, even if the firing interval of pachinko balls is changed, each time the ball hitting cam 19 engages and releases the pin 154, the ball hitting cam 19
In other words, the motor 18 is rotated intermittently so that the motor 18 stops, and as a result, the starting speed of the ball hitting cam 19 is kept constant, and the pin 154 is set so that the starting speed of the ball hitting cam 19 is constant. I try to keep pressing it at the same speed. Therefore, even if the firing interval of the pachinko balls changes, the strength with which the pachinko balls are hit can be kept constant regardless of the change.

FIG. 4 is a ball hitting control circuit diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment differs only in the circuit 41 that controls the power control circuit 32 from the ball speed adjustment circuit 33 and the switching circuit 34 shown in FIG. Next, the detailed configuration shown in FIG. 4 and its operation will be explained.

When the player presses the ball hitting switch SW, the rectifier circuit 31 derives a DC output and supplies DC power to each part of the electronic circuit. At this time, a direct current flows through the variable resistor VR and the capacitor C2, and charges the capacitor C2. The charging time constant of this capacitor C2 is determined based on the resistance value set by adjusting the variable resistor VR. When the capacitor C2 exceeds the Zener voltage of the Zener diode ZD, the thyristor (hereinafter referred to as SCR) becomes conductive due to the charging potential of the capacitor C2. Accordingly, the output of the rectifier circuit 31 is connected to the resistor R7-
A relatively high voltage is supplied to the base input terminal of the transistor TR3 included in the power control circuit 32 via the SCR-diode D7-resistor R8, thereby making the transistor TR3 conductive. Accordingly, switch SW - motor 18 - diode D3
An alternating current flows through the path of - transistor T3 - diode D4 or the path of diode D6 - transistor T3 - diode D5 - motor 18 - ball hitting switch SW, and energizes the motor 18. The rotation of the motor 18 causes the ball hitting cam 19 to rotate, thereby rotating the ball hitting rod 15 in the direction of the arrow y. At this time, the shielding plate 156 connects the light emitting diode 21 and the CdS
In order to release the shielding state with the CdS 22, the light from the light emitting diode 21 is applied to the CdS 22. Depending on the CdS
22 becomes conductive, and a voltage determined by the voltage division ratio of resistors R10 and R11 is applied to the base input of transistor T4, causing transistor T4 to conduct. Therefore, the direct current of the output of the rectifier circuit 31 flows through the resistor R9 - transistor T4 - diode D9.
The transistor T5 is made conductive via the resistor R7, so that a direct current flows through the resistor R7 and the transistor T5. At the same time, the DC current flows through the resistor R9
- Transistor T4 - Diode D8 - Resistor R8
The conductive state of the transistor T3 is maintained through the transistor T3. Then, when the ball batting rod 15 returns to its original stopped state, the shielding plate 156 blocks the light from the light emitting diode 21, so that the CdS 22 is turned off. In response, transistor T4 is turned off, and transistor T3 is also turned off. In this way, motor 1
8 is after the charging time determined by the charging time constant of the capacitor C2, and the energization is controlled until the batting rod 15 returns to the original stopped state and the CdS 22 is turned off, and the batting speed is determined by the repetition period. is determined.

5A and 5B show illustrations of ball striking mechanisms according to other embodiments of the present invention, and in particular, for example, FIGS.
Figure A shows its perspective view, and Figure 5B shows the detection means 2.
0 is shown in detail. The difference between this embodiment and the ball hitting mechanism shown in FIG. Then, a notch 52 is formed in the package 51 so that the shielding plate 156 can freely move in and out. With this configuration, when the stopped state of the ball batting rod 15 is photoelectrically detected, erroneous detection due to extraneous light is prevented.

As described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to change the firing interval of pachinko balls in a pinball game machine, and the hitting strength (flying distance) of the pachinko ball can be changed regardless of the change in the firing interval of the pachinko balls. It can be controlled to always remain constant. It is possible to provide a ball hitting control device for a pinball game machine with good operability.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a ball hitting mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 2A and 2B are illustrative views showing the operating state of the ball hitting mechanism according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a ball hitting control circuit diagram of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a ball hitting control circuit diagram of another embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5A and 5B show schematic diagrams of a ball hitting mechanism according to another embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing the configuration of a conventional ball hitting mechanism. In the figure, 10 is a ball-striking mechanism, 15 is a ball-striking rod,
18 is an electric motor (motor), 19 is a ball hitting cam (transmission mechanism), 20 is a detection means, 21 is a light emitting diode, 22 is CdS, 30 is a batting ball control circuit, SW is a ball hitting switch, 31 is a rectifier circuit, 32 is electric power 33 is a control circuit, 33 is a ball speed adjustment circuit, and 34 is a switching circuit.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An electric motor that is rotationally driven when supplied with power; a batting rod that hits a spherical object; and a batting rod that is provided in association with the electric motor and that intermittently applies the rotational force of the electric motor to the batting rod. A transmission mechanism that causes the batting rod to hit a spherical object and stops the batting rod at a predetermined position when the electric motor is stopped; a batting switch that is closed by a player's ball batting operation; a detection means provided in relation to a predetermined stopping position of the ball rod and detecting the stopped state of the ball rod, and generating a signal that changes the energization or cut-off cycle of the power source according to the player's batting interval adjustment operation; and a ball-hitting interval adjustment means that operates in response to the closing of the ball-hitting switch and controls intermittently the electric power supplied to the electric motor in response to the output of the ball-hitting interval adjustment means, and controls the electric power supplied to the motor intermittently in response to the output of the detection means. A ball hitting control device for a pinball game machine equipped with a power control means that reliably cuts off power supply to an electric motor for a short period of time. 2. The electric motor is a geared motor having a built-in speed reduction mechanism, and the transmission mechanism is connected to take out the reduced rotational force in the geared mode, and the transmission mechanism has a projection that engages the ball batting rod at fixed angle intervals. Claim 1, characterized in that it is a ball hitting cam having a part.
A ball hitting control device for a pinball game machine as described in 2. 3. The ball batting interval adjustment means is comprised of a variable resistor and a capacitor that can be varied by the player's operation, and the energization or interruption period is determined by a time constant determined by the resistance value of the variable resistor and the capacitance of the capacitor. 3. A ball hitting control device for a pinball game machine according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the device derives a signal that varies the pitch.