JP4360153B2 - Ball dispensing device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a ball payout device installed in, for example, a ball payout portion for a winning ball in a pachinko gaming machine or a ball payout portion in a ball lending device, and more particularly to a ball payout device that simplifies pachinko ball payout control. .

Hereinafter, a ball payout device for a pachinko gaming machine will be described as an example.
In general, this type of ball dispensing device lowers one pachinko ball (hereinafter referred to as a ball) guided from the top through a ball descent passage one by one, and a sprocket disposed at the ball dispensing position in this ball descent process. The balls are lowered one by one in order by the rotational feed operation. In this descending process, balls are counted by a counting sensor, and the designated number of balls is paid out and controlled (for example, see Patent Document 1).

Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 7-155447.

  However, such a ball dispensing device needs to control the stepping motor so that the position of the free-falling ball and the rotational position of the sprocket teeth correspond exactly, and these relationships are asynchronous and do not correspond accurately May cause clogging with sprocket teeth. For this reason, the ball supply speed and the sprocket rotation speed are synchronized so that the ball dispensing operation can be accurately executed while avoiding clogging of the balls, but the sprocket rotation speed is synchronized with the ball supply speed. However, the control of the stepping motor is complicated.

  Further, the ball dispensing device is restricted from dispensing balls until a signal for a dispensing command is input from the control unit. For this reason, while the ball dispensing device is waiting to dispense balls, the sprocket continues to receive a large number of balls from the upstream, and this ball load interferes with the rotation of the sprocket, causing clogging and erroneous dispensing. I was letting. Moreover, in order to avoid ball pressure on the sprocket in the standby state, it can be solved by energizing the stepping motor that is waiting to be discharged to restrict the rotation of the sprocket or by providing a stopper mechanism for paying out, Such a configuration induces an increase in the load on the motor, an increase in the size and cost of the equipment.

  For example, when energizing a stepping motor and waiting for the ball to be dispensed, it is necessary to keep the stepping motor ON constantly and keep the excitation while the ball is being dispensed and waited. There is a risk of damaging the equipment, such as a danger of catching fire when the stepping motor is used for a long time, or melting of the cover due to heat generation.

  Therefore, the present invention eliminates the need to synchronize the rotation speed of the sprocket with the supply speed of the balls when the balls are dispensed, and it is not necessary to maintain the excitation of the motor when waiting for the balls to be dispensed. An object of the present invention is to provide a ball dispensing device capable of motor control.

  The present invention provides a ball dispensing device that provides ball descent passages for dropping balls one by one by their own weight, counts the balls descending the ball descent passages, and dispenses a predetermined number of balls. And a motor that has a rotation amount in the reverse rotation direction, a cam that rotates by a rotation amount determined in the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction based on the rotation amount of the motor, and a rotation direction of the cam. When the motor is stopped, a rotating shaft that rotates by receiving the weight of the ball descending the ball lowering passage is held at the rotation restriction position, and when the motor is rotating forward, it is linked with the movement of the arm. Switching means for switching the rotation shaft to a continuous rotation position and switching the rotation shaft to an intermittent rotation position in conjunction with the movement of the arm when the motor is reversely rotated.

  Here, the motor is composed of a stepping motor or the like, and includes a motor reference position that is a reference stop position in the motor rotation direction, a motor forward rotation position that stops slightly after rotating forward from the motor reference position, and a motor reference position. The motor is switched and controlled so that the rotation is stopped at three predetermined positions, that is, a motor reverse rotation position where the motor is slightly reversed and stopped. In this case, the payout operation is executed by using the weight of the ball descending the ball lowering passage as a drive source in the payout direction, and the ball is not discharged using the motor as the drive source.

  Specifically, if the motor reference position is set to the rotation restriction position of the rotating shaft that waits for the ball to be dispensed and de-energized by the motor non-excitation, the ball that has descended at the motor reference position can be made to wait. If the motor forward rotation position is set to the continuous rotation position of the rotating shaft, the balls that have descended at the motor forward rotation position can be continuously paid out. If the motor reverse rotation position is set to the intermittent rotation position of the rotary shaft, the ball descending at the motor reverse rotation position can be intermittently paid out. Therefore, by simply selecting one of the motor rotation stop positions, it is possible to switch to any payout operation of standby, continuous payout, or intermittent payout. Can be made.

  According to this invention, while the motor is stopped at the motor reference position, the cam maintains the rotation restriction position where the rotation of the rotation shaft is restricted via the arm. For this reason, even if it receives the load of the ball which has descended, the rotation shaft is restricted from rotating and maintains a payout waiting state in which the ball is not paid out.

  On the other hand, while the motor is stopped at the motor forward rotation position, the cam maintains the continuous rotation position that allows the rotation shaft to rotate through the arm. As a result, a continuous payout state in which continuous payout of balls is allowed is obtained.

  Further, when the motor is stopped at the motor reverse rotation position, the cam is switched to the intermittent rotation position where the rotation of the rotating shaft is paid out by one ball via the arm. By alternately switching between the intermittent rotation position and the rotation regulation position, the ball can be intermittently paid out.

  Therefore, in the above-described ball dispensing standby state, the rotation is regulated using the cam and the arm, so that the ball can be dispensed and standby while the motor is stopped. For this reason, even if the ball dispensing standby operation continues for a long time, the motor does not generate heat because it is de-energized, and the danger associated with the risk of equipment damage or fire due to this heat generation is eliminated.

  In particular, when a ball is dispensed, it can be switched to a continuous dispensing operation or an intermittent dispensing operation by simply rotating the motor forward or backward by a certain amount. Furthermore, the complicated motor control of synchronizing the rotation speed of the sprocket with the supply speed of the balls can be omitted. In addition, since the ball load on which the weight of the ball is applied when the motor is stopped can be combined with a cam that is received by the arm and not applied to the motor, the motor performance can be stably maintained. In addition to this, the motor can be reduced in size, and the payout control can be easily constructed only by the motor switching operation.

  In another configuration of the present invention, there is provided a ball lowering passage for lowering balls one by one by their own weight, and a ball dispensing device for counting the number of balls descending the ball lowering passage with a counting sensor and delivering a predetermined number of balls. A rotating shaft having a ball receiving claw that rotates integrally with the shaft under the weight of the ball descending the ball lowering passage, and a plurality of locking claws arranged coaxially with the ball receiving claw in the circumferential direction. A motor in which the amount of rotation in the forward direction and the direction of reverse rotation is determined, a cam that rotates by the amount of rotation determined in the direction of forward rotation and the direction of reverse rotation based on the amount of rotation of the motor, and the rotation of the cam An arm that is displaced in conjunction with the direction of rotation, and the amount of displacement differs according to the direction of rotation, a rotation restricting position that restricts rotation of the rotating shaft by engaging the arm with the lock claw, and the arm. The rotary shaft is allowed to rotate continuously by being detached from the lock claw. And a switching means for switching between a continuous rotation position to be switched and an intermittent rotation position in which the arm is locked to a lock claw different from the lock claw and the rotation shaft is allowed to rotate by one ball. To do.

  The rotating shaft has a ball catching claw. When the ball catching claw faces the ball descending passage, the rotating shaft rotates with the ball catching claw by receiving the weight of the lowered ball, and the ball is dispensed. The payout operation is allowed with passage in the direction. Thus, the ball's own weight can be used as the rotational drive source of the rotational shaft simply by providing the ball receiving claw on the rotational shaft, and the continuous rotational driving force of the motor is not required.

  Also, when the rotating shaft is rotated, the motor rotates in the forward or reverse direction by a predetermined amount of rotation, and the cam that rotates in conjunction with this rotates the arm position to lock the locking pawl on the rotating shaft. The rotary shaft can be switched to any one of the rotation restriction position, the continuous rotation position, and the intermittent rotation position.

  In another configuration of the present invention, the switching means includes a standby mode for waiting for the ball to be dispensed when the rotating shaft is switched to the rotation restricting position, and a ball mode when the rotating shaft is switched to the continuous rotating position. A continuous payout mode for continuously paying out a ball, and an intermittent payout mode for paying out one ball when the rotary shaft is switched to the intermittent rotation position. When the payout operation is completed, the payout operation is maintained up to a number smaller than the ball payout set number, and after the payout operation is completed by a number smaller than the ball payout set number, the remaining payout mode is switched to the intermittent payout mode. It is characterized by comprising a control unit that performs a ball dispensing operation.

  In this case, when paying out a predetermined number of balls, it is possible to pay out while maintaining the continuous payout mode until just before the set number of payouts, and if only the remaining one or several are put out in the intermittent payout mode. Good. For this reason, when a large amount of balls is to be dispensed, the total number of balls can be dispensed almost at a high speed, and the remaining one or only a few can be reliably dispensed at a low speed. For this reason, the time-consuming low-speed payout time can be shortened. As a result, the payout time required for the total number of payouts can be reliably shortened. Therefore, in a pachinko gaming machine in which the payout operation is repeatedly performed frequently, the payout waiting time of the balls to be paid out at the start of the game or during the game can be shortened, and the payout processing ability can be improved and the game performance can be improved. .

  In another configuration of the present invention, a central cam that pushes and displaces the arm during rotation, and an annular cam that switches a displacement amount of the arm pushed by the central cam according to a forward and reverse rotation direction of the central cam. It is characterized in that a cam is configured by combining the above.

  In this case, since the position of the arm can be displaced by a plurality of contact operations by providing two independent cam functions, that is, the central cam and the annular cam, the position to be switched through the arm can be efficiently Can manage well. For example, the two arms can be contacted and supported at two points on both sides so as to sandwich the arm, and the displacement and direction of the arm can be regulated and positioned accurately.

  In another configuration of the present invention, the arm includes a first arm that engages and disengages a small-diameter inner lock claw formed in an annular shape on an end surface of the rotation shaft, and a concentric circle with the inner lock claw on the same end surface of the rotation shaft. A second arm that engages with and disengages from the large-diameter outer lock claw formed in the above is used in combination.

  In this case, the rotating shaft is displaced through the cam that rotates in conjunction with the movement of the motor to the switching means that restricts the rotation shaft to three positions of the rotation restriction position, the continuous rotation position, and the intermittent rotation position. If the two arms are used in combination with the arm and the second arm, a desired switching structure can be easily constructed.

  According to the present invention, since the ball is waited to be dispensed while the motor is stopped, the motor does not generate heat even if the ball dispensing standby operation continues for a long time, and safety can be ensured. Further, since the payout operation can be switched only by rotating the motor forward or backward by a certain amount, an efficient payout operation can be realized, and complicated payout control using the rotational force of the motor as a drive source can be omitted.

  It has made it possible to dispense balls that can dispense with complicated dispensing controls that synchronize the sprocket's rotational speed with the falling ball supply speed.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.
The drawing shows a ball payout device built in the pachinko gaming machine, and FIG. 1 shows the back side of the pachinko gaming machine. A ball tank 11 is arranged at the upper back of the pachinko gaming machine, and the ball tank 11 has a lower part. An induction rod 12 that connects and flows down the balls is connected.

  The guide rod 12 is connected to two rows of supply rods 13a and 13b for lowering the balls directly below the guide rod 12, and a ball dispensing device 14 for dispensing a few minutes of balls to the lower side of the supply rods 13a and 13b. Is connected.

  Below the ball payout device 14, there is connected a discharge rod 15 that guides the balls paid out from the ball payout device 14 to a tray provided on the front surface of the pachinko gaming machine. A pachinko gaming machine has a main board 16 for controlling the pachinko gaming machine and a prize ball board 17 for controlling the balls of the ball dispensing device 14 at the center of the back of the pachinko gaming machine.

  2 to 4 show the ball dispensing device 14 described above. This ball dispensing device 14 is provided with a case 18 and a cover 19 which are divided into two parts and integrated with each other as an outer frame. A passage portion 20 and a payout mode switching portion 21 are disposed in the inner space of the cover 19, and a payout mode switching motor M is attached to the outer surface side of the case 18.

  The case 18 has a hollow box with one side opened, and one side is opened to close the opening of the case 18 in a state in which the passage 20 and the dispensing mode switching unit 21 are stored. The hollow cover 19 is attached and closed. Further, on the inner surfaces of the case 18 and the cover 19, cantilever support portions of support shafts 28 and 33, which will be described later, are provided to support the internal payout mode switching portion 21.

  First, the passage portion 20 is divided into two parts, one first passage case 22 and the other second passage case 23. The passage portion 20 has a passage surface having a semicircular cross section on the inner surface, and is integrally connected to each other. Two rows of ball lowering passages 24 and 25 are formed. In order to connect both the passage cases 22 and 23, the engagement protrusions 23a projecting on both sides of the joint portion of the second passage case 23 are engaged with the engagement recesses 22a formed on both sides of the joint portion of the first passage case 22, respectively. It connects together by doing.

  In addition, a sensor mounting portion 26 is provided at the lower portion of the first passage case 22, and a counting sensor S1, such as a proximity sensor, is attached thereto to descend the ball descending passages 24 and 25 to count the balls dispensed.

Next, the payout mode switching unit 21 will be described.
The payout mode switching unit 21 is roughly configured by combining a rotating shaft 27, an arm A, and a cam C.

  First, the rotary shaft 27 is cantilevered on the inner surface of the cover 19 in a cantilevered manner so as to protrude horizontally in the direction of joining with the case 18. The rotary shaft 27 is rotatably supported by inserting the hollow shaft portion. On the axis of the rotary shaft 27, as shown in FIG. 5, the sprocket-shaped first ball receiving claw 29 and the second ball receiving claw 30 are matched to the arrangement interval of the two rows of ball lowering passages 24 and 25. There are around. The first ball receiving claws 29 and the second ball receiving claws 30 are arranged so as to face the two rows of ball lowering passages 24 and 25, respectively, as shown in FIG. As a result, the rotating shaft 27 integrated with the ball receiving claws 29 and 30 receives the weight of the descending ball and rotates to allow the ball to pass in the downward dispensing direction as it is. In this way, the ball dispensing operation is executed using the weight of the ball that has been lowered as the rotational drive source of the rotating shaft 27. The rotation shaft 27 can be restricted from rotation through an arm A described later.

  Further, the shaft end portion of the rotary shaft 27 coaxial with the ball receiving claws 29 and 30 has a large-diameter disk, and the outer-diameter surface of the large-diameter disk has a small diameter and is equally divided in an annular direction so as to be distributed and projected. The inner lock claw 31 and the outer lock claw 32 which are concentric with the inner lock claw 31 and have a large diameter and are equally divided and projected in the annular direction.

  The above-mentioned arm A is configured by combining an L-shaped flat plate-like first arm A1 and second arm A2 that are bent on one side of the flat plate from both sides. The arm support shaft 33 that is horizontally elongated and cantilevered is projected in a cantilevered manner, and the upper both sides of the first arm A1 and the second arm A2 are bent inward in a U-shape on the arm support shaft 33. The upper end pivotal support portions A11 and A12 are inserted through the upper end pivotal support portions A11 and A12, and the arms A1 and A2 are pivotally supported to freely rotate. At this time, the arms A1 and A2 are opposed to each other in a parallel state in which the arm planes are opposed to each other in a plane, and the first arm spring 34 having a square shape with both ends of the torsion coil spring extending, and the second arm spring 35 The arm support shaft 33 is inserted between the opposed portions of the arm plane portion, and the springs 34 and 35 are used to outwardly separate the arms A1 and A2 from the upper end pivot support portions A11 and A12, respectively. Is energized.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 7, the first arm A1 is a small first arm that is bent inwardly at the lower end of a narrow bent piece A10 that is bent narrowly on one side of the L-shaped flat plate of the first arm A1. A claw A21 is formed, and the first arm claw A21 is engaged with and disengaged from the inner lock claw 31 to switch a ball dispensing mode described later. Similarly, a second arm claw A22 having a small width inwardly is formed at the lower end of a narrow bent piece A20 that is bent narrowly on one side of the L-shaped flat plate of the second arm A2. The second arm claw A22 switches the ball payout mode described later in association with the outer lock claw 32.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 8, a small holding claw 36 bent in an L shape is extended on the lower side surface of the narrow bent piece A20 of the second arm A2, and the holding claw 36 extends the first claw 36. It holds the edge of the narrow bent piece A10 of one arm A1. Thereby, the outward rotational displacement amount of the first arm A1 is restricted. Further, the movement of the first arm A1 in the rotational displacement direction follows the movement of the second arm A2 in the rotational displacement direction by the holding claws 36. Thus, the first arm A1 and the second arm A2 are related to each other by the holding claws 36. Further, a cam corresponding protrusion 37 is provided in the middle of the narrow bent piece A20 of the second arm A2, and the position of the cam corresponding protrusion 37 is restricted by a cam C described later, whereby the second arm A2 is provided. And a wide flat surface portion of the first arm A1 is pressed by a cam C described later, and the positions of the arms A1 and A2 are displaced in conjunction with the movement of the cam C.

Next, the above cam C will be described.
As shown in FIG. 9A, the cam C is provided with a dish-shaped stepped disk in which a central part of the disk is formed with a recess, and a central cam C1 formed at the center of the stepped disk, and the central cam C1. A single cam C has two cams C1 and C2 with an annular cam C2 formed so as to surround the cam.

  Of these, the central cam C1 is formed with a boss portion 40 having a shaft hole 39 for press-fitting and fixing the main shaft 38 of the motor M on the concave surface side of the stepped disk, and the outer shape of the boss portion 40 is vertically symmetrical. The center cam C1 pushes and displaces the wide flat surface portion of the arm A1 when rotating.

  The above-described annular cam C2 is provided with a concave inner peripheral surface of a stepped disk on the annular cam surface, and the cam corresponding protrusion 37 is interposed in a space formed between the annular cam C2 and the central cam C1. The cam-corresponding protrusion 37 is in contact with the annular cam C2, and the cam-corresponding protrusion 37 is pressed in a direction opposite to the pressing direction of the central cam C1, whereby a second arm integrated with the cam-corresponding protrusion 37 is provided. The amount of displacement of A2 is regulated. Further, as shown in FIG. 9B, a notch detecting portion 41 for determining the initial position of the cam C is provided in a part of the outer peripheral edge portion of the cam C.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 10, when the shaft C of the boss portion 40 is press-fitted into the main shaft 38 of the motor M and the cam C is mounted integrally with the motor M, the cam C has a notch detection portion 41 that is connected to the case 18. It faces the reference position detection sensor S2 using a photoelectric sensor such as a photo encoder sensor attached to the side. This detection position is set to a motor reference position which is a reference position in the motor rotation direction.

  The motor M described above is composed of a stepping motor, and is driven so as to switch the rotation stop position of a disk-shaped cam C connected to the main shaft 38 of the motor M. In this case, the motor reference position where the rotation stop position of the cam C is stopped at the initially set position by de-energizing the motor, and the rotation stop position of the cam C is rotated 90 degrees forward by rotating forward 90 degrees from the motor reference position. One of three predetermined positions: a motor forward rotation position where the motor C stops at the position where it has been moved, and a motor reverse rotation position where the rotation stop position of the cam C is reversed 90 degrees from the motor reference position. It stops rotation at the position and switches the ball dispensing operation.

Next, three types of payout modes for switching the ball payout operation will be specifically described with reference to FIG.
FIG. 11A shows a standby mode in which the cam C, the arm A, and the rotating shaft 27 are combined to wait for the ball to be dispensed. In this standby mode, the motor M is stopped at the motor reference position, and when the motor reference position is stopped. Then, the motor is in a non-excited state and the rotational force from the motor M is not transmitted to the cam C. Of the cams C that are stopped in this standby mode, the central cam C1 is waiting for rotation in the vertical direction. Then, one side surface of the central cam C1 is in contact with the wide flat portion of the first arm A1 so as to restrict the position of the first arm A1 to a vertical standby state. In this position restricted state, the first arm claw A21 of the first arm A1 is in a position corresponding to the engagement with the inner lock claw 31, and is set to a position where the inner lock claw 31 is locked and prevented from rotating. For this reason, in the standby mode, the rotation of the rotary shaft 27 is restricted, and the standby state in which the ball payout is restricted is maintained.

  On the other hand, the annular cam C2 is set at a position where the cam surface is not in contact with the cam corresponding projection 37 of the second arm A2 in the standby mode. In this case, since the holding claw 36 of the second arm A2 holds the first arm A1, the positions of both the arms A1 and A2 are related to each other in a vertical state. Further, the second arm claw A22 of the second arm A2 is interposed between the inner lock claw 31 and the outer lock claw 32 and waits in the unlocked position.

  Furthermore, the position of the notch detection part 41 provided in the cam C is set so that it waits in the uppermost rotation stop position used as a motor reference position. This position is detected and confirmed by the reference position detection sensor S2.

  FIG. 11B shows a continuous payout mode in which balls are continuously paid out. In this continuous payout mode, the motor M in the standby mode is rotated 90 ° in the forward rotation direction from the motor reference position and stopped. Along with this, the cam C is also rotated 90 ° in the forward direction, the direction of the central cam C1 rotated together with the cam C is changed from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction, and the end portion of the central cam C1 which is in the horizontal direction is the first. The first arm A1 pushed by pressing the wide flat surface portion of the arm A1 is displaced by rotating to the second arm A2 side with the arm support shaft 33 as a rotation fulcrum.

  Accordingly, the first arm claw A21 is displaced in a direction away from the inner lock claw 31 and stops at the non-lock position where it overlaps with the second arm claw A22. On the other hand, when the annular cam C2 is rotated by 90 ° in the forward rotation direction, the cam corresponding protrusion 37 is locked from the direction opposite to the pressing direction of the central cam C1, thereby restricting the position, thereby bringing the second arm A2 into a fixed position. The second arm A2 is maintained at the original non-locking position throughout. As a result, only the first arm claw A21 is displaced and overlaps the second arm claw A22 in the unlocked position, so that the rotary shaft 27 is in an unlocked state, and the rotation of the rotary shaft 27 that is unlocked is allowed, The rotating shaft 27 receives the weight of the ball and rotates in the payout direction to execute continuous ball payout.

  FIG. 11C shows an intermittent payout mode for paying balls one by one. In this intermittent payout mode, the motor M in the standby mode is rotated 90 ° in the reverse direction from the motor reference position and stopped. Along with this, the cam C is also rotated by 90 ° in the reverse direction, the direction of the central cam C1 rotated together with the cam C is changed from the vertical direction to the horizontal direction, and the end portion of the central cam C1 which is in the horizontal direction is the first arm. The pressed first arm A1 is pushed and displaced toward the second arm A2 with the arm support shaft 33 as a rotation fulcrum.

  As a result, the first arm claw A21 is displaced in a direction away from the inner lock claw 31 and stops at the unlocked position between the inner lock claw 31 and the outer lock claw 32. On the other hand, when the annular cam C2 is rotated 90 ° in the reverse direction, the position restriction of the cam corresponding protrusion 37 is released and the second arm A2 is allowed to move outward. As a result, the second arm claw A22 stops at a position corresponding to the engagement with the outer lock claw 32, and the next outer lock claw 32 that has been rotated thereafter is engaged with the second arm claw A22. Due to this locking action, the rotation of the rotary shaft 27 is restricted and the ball dispensing operation is stopped. In this case, the rotation shaft 27 is slightly rotated by a rotation amount corresponding to one ball after the second arm claw A22 is displaced until the outer lock claw 32 is locked. , 25, pays out only one ball. Accordingly, when the motor M is switched from the standby mode to the intermittent payout mode, one ball can be taken out. For this reason, if both the standby mode (see FIG. 11A) and the intermittent payout mode (see FIG. 11C) are alternately repeated, the balls can be paid out one by one intermittently.

  Thus, by simply switching the rotation stop position of the motor M, any payout operation of standby, continuous payout, or intermittent payout can be selected. Further, the two cam functions of the central cam C1 and the annular cam C2 are provided to one independent cam C interlocked with the rotation / stop of the motor M so that the positions of both arms A1 and A2 can be individually set by a plurality of contact actions. Since it can be displaced, the payout mode can be easily switched. In particular, the two cams C1 and C2 support the contact at two points on both sides so that the arm is sandwiched. Therefore, the arm displacement amount and the displacement direction are regulated so that the arm claws A21 and A22 are accurately locked and unlocked. Position.

  Furthermore, a desired payout operation can be realized by combining the above three modes of the standby mode, the continuous payout mode, and the intermittent payout mode. As a switching procedure of these three types of modes, since the waiting is initially performed, the waiting mode is set to the standby mode, and the ball descending from the upper side is received and the waiting is performed.

  Next, when the ball is paid out from this standby mode, the continuous payout mode is switched to the continuous payout mode. During the continuous payout operation, the continuous payout operation is maintained up to one or several less than the ball payout setting number instructed by the upper control unit.

  Finally, when the payout operation of one or several less than the set number of ball payouts is completed, the intermittent payout mode is switched to perform the payout operation for the remaining one or several balls.

  In this way, when a large number of balls are paid out, the total number of balls can be paid out almost at a high speed, and the remaining number of balls is paid out for the total number of payouts because the number of balls is small even if it takes time. You can save time. Therefore, in a pachinko gaming machine in which the payout operation is repeatedly performed frequently, the payout waiting time of the balls to be paid out at the start of the game or during the game can be shortened, and the payout processing ability can be improved and the game performance can be improved. .

  FIG. 12 shows a control circuit block diagram of the ball payout device, in which a payout signal (number of payouts) is output from the main control unit of the main board 16 to the prize ball board 17, and the control part of the prize ball board 17 that receives this payout signal. 17a drives the motor M, and switches each payout mode according to a procedure suitable for payout.

  The motor M described above rotates forward and backward by a rotation amount determined in accordance with a payout signal from a stepping motor that can freely rotate forward and backward. The counting sensor S1 counts the number of balls dispensed according to the counting signal when the balls are dispensed. The reference position detection sensor S2 detects and confirms the motor reference position based on the detection signal from the notch detection unit 41.

The ball dispensing operation of the ball dispensing apparatus 14 configured as described above will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 13 and the operation explanatory diagrams of the locked state and the ball dispensing state of FIGS.
Normally, in the standby state of the ball dispensing device 14, the motor M is stopped at the motor reference position which is the motor initial position. In this case, as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15A, the cam C at the motor reference position stands by at a position where the arm A is not displaced. The first arm claw A21 of the first arm A1 waiting at this position engages the inner lock claw 31 to restrict the rotation of the rotary shaft 27. Therefore, the balls P descending the ball lowering passages 24 and 25 from above are received by the ball receiving claws 29 and 30 on the rotation shaft 27 whose rotation is restricted as shown in FIG. It is in a regulated state.

In this standby state, when a payout signal of a set number of balls, for example, 15, 25, 75, etc. is input from the host main control unit to the control unit 17a of the prize ball substrate 17 (step n1),
First, the control unit 17a confirms whether or not the motor M is waiting at the motor reference position prior to the payout based on the detection signal of the reference position detection sensor S2 (step n2).

  At this time, if not waiting at the motor reference position, the motor M is driven and the rotation stop position is adjusted so that the notch detection part 41 of the cam C returns to the motor reference position which is the uppermost part (step n3). ).

  If it is confirmed that the motor M is waiting at the motor reference position, the controller 17a switches from the standby mode to the continuous payout mode. When switching to this continuous payout mode, the motor M is rotated 90 ° in the forward direction from the motor reference position and stopped. With this rotation, the cam C also starts to rotate, and as shown in FIG. 16 (A), the central cam C1 pushes the first arm A1, and the first arm claw A21 disengages from the inner lock claw 31. (Step n4).

  Along with this, as shown in FIG. 16B, the rotation shaft 27 is released from the rotation restriction and starts rotating, and shifts to a ball P payout operation. Specifically, when the motor M rotates forward 90 ° from the motor reference position, as shown in FIGS. 17A and 18, the first arm claw A21 is displaced and waits in the unlocked position. Stop at the position where it overlaps with the two-arm claw A22. For this reason, both arm claws A21 and A22 both stop at the unlocked position. As a result, the rotation of the unlocked rotating shaft 27 is allowed, and the rotating shaft 27 receives the balls P descending from above as shown in FIG. Then, the balls P that rotate vigorously and descend continuously are executed (step n5).

  The dispensed balls P are counted by the counting sensor S1, and the total is obtained by the control unit 17a, and it has been confirmed that the number of balls to be dispensed has reached one or several less than the ball dispensing set number commanded from the host. Since this is just before the completion of the payout, the continuous payout mode is terminated (step n6).

  Simultaneously with the end of the continuous payout mode, the control unit 17a switches to the next intermittent payout mode. In this intermittent payout mode, the motor M is once rotated reversely by 90 ° to return to the standby mode at the motor reference position (step n7).

When the reference position detection sensor S2 detects and confirms that the motor reference position has been returned to the standby mode (step n8),
The controller 17a finally switches to the intermittent payout mode. When switching to this intermittent payout mode, the motor M is reversed 90 degrees from the motor reference position, and as shown in FIG. 19A, the central cam C1 pushes the first arm A1 to unlock the first arm pawl A21. To do. On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 20 and FIG. 21 (A), the second arm claw A22 is displaced outwardly by the arm displacement action of both the cams C1, C2 of the center cam C1 and the annular cam C2, so that the outer lock claw 32 is locked at the locking position. Thereby, the rotating shaft 27 is locked. As a result of the movement of both arms that operate after being unlocked, the rotating shaft 27 performs a payout operation for one ball as shown in FIGS. 19B and 21B (step n9).

  Each time one is taken out, the motor M is returned to the motor reference position, and the standby mode is set (step n10).

If it is confirmed that the standby mode is set (step n11),
The control unit 17a determines whether or not the current payout number has reached the commanded ball payout set number. If not, the control unit 17a repeats the standby mode and the intermittent payout mode one by one until the ball payout set number is reached. A payout operation may be performed. Then, when it is confirmed that the commanded ball payout set number has been reached, the payout operation is finished (step n12).

  As described above, when the specified number of balls is paid out, it is not mechanically paid out by the rotational force of the motor, but is switched between a lock position for lowering the lowered ball and a lock release position for allowing the descent. It effectively utilizes the ball's own weight, which is to pay out the ball depending on the structure.

The rear view which shows the back side of a pachinko gaming machine. The external appearance perspective view of a ball dispensing apparatus. The exploded perspective view of a ball dispensing device. The perspective view which shows the payout mode switching part. The expansion perspective view which shows the rotating shaft of a ball dispensing apparatus. The principal part top view of a ball delivery apparatus. The principal part perspective view which shows the attachment state of the arm seen from the cover side. The principal part perspective view which shows the attachment state of the arm seen from the case side. The expansion perspective view which shows the cam of a ball delivery apparatus. The perspective view which shows the attachment state of a cam. The principal part front view which shows three types of payout modes. The control circuit block diagram of a ball dispensing apparatus. The flowchart which shows the paying-out operation | movement of the ball paying-out apparatus. The perspective view which shows the standby mode of the ball dispensing apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the standby mode of the ball dispensing apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the principal part which shows the initial state of the continuous payout mode of the ball payout apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the principal payout mode of the ball payout device. The perspective view which shows the continuous payout mode of the ball payout apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the principal part which shows the initial state of the intermittent payout mode of a ball payout apparatus. The perspective view which shows the intermittent payout mode of the ball payout apparatus. Explanatory drawing which shows the intermittent payout mode of the ball payout device.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 14 ... Ball dispensing device 21 ... Dispensing mode switching part 27 ... Rotating shaft 31, 32 ... Lock claw M ... Motor C, C1, C2 ... Cam A, A1, A2 ... Arm A21, A22 ... Arm claw

Claims (5)

A ball dispensing device that provides a ball descent passage for dropping balls one by one by their own weight, counts the balls descending the ball descent passage, and dispenses a predetermined number of balls,
A motor in which the amount of rotation in the forward direction and the reverse direction is determined;
A cam that rotates by a rotation amount determined in the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction based on the rotation amount of the motor;
An arm that is displaced in conjunction with the direction of rotation of the cam;
When the motor is stopped, the rotating shaft that rotates by receiving the weight of the ball descending the ball lowering passage stands by at the rotation restriction position, and when the motor is rotating forward, the rotating shaft is continuously rotated in conjunction with the movement of the arm. Switching means for switching to the intermittent rotation position in conjunction with the movement of the arm at the time of reverse rotation of the motor,
Ball dispensing device with A ball dispensing device that provides a ball lowering passage for lowering balls one by one by their own weight, and that counts the balls descending the ball lowering passage with a counting sensor and pays a predetermined number of balls,
A rotating shaft having a ball receiving claw that rotates integrally with the shaft under the weight of the ball descending the ball lowering passage, and a plurality of locking claws arranged coaxially with the ball receiving claw in the circumferential direction;
A motor in which the amount of rotation in the forward direction and the reverse direction is determined;
A cam that rotates by a rotation amount determined in the forward rotation direction and the reverse rotation direction based on the rotation amount of the motor;
An arm that is displaced in conjunction with the direction of rotation of the cam, and the amount of displacement differs according to the direction of rotation;
A rotation restricting position for restricting rotation of the rotation shaft by engaging the arm with the lock claw, a continuous rotation position for allowing rotation of the rotation shaft by detaching the arm from the lock claw, and the arm Switching means for switching to an intermittent rotation position where the rotation shaft is allowed to rotate by one ball by engaging with a lock claw different from the lock claw;
Ball dispensing device with The switching means includes a standby mode for waiting for the ball to be dispensed when the rotation shaft is switched to the rotation restriction position, and a continuous dispensing for continuously dispensing the ball when the rotation shaft is switched to the continuous rotation position. Mode and an intermittent payout mode for paying out one ball when the rotary shaft is switched to the intermittent rotation position,
Switch from the standby mode to the continuous payout mode to execute the ball payout operation. During this payout operation, the payout operation is maintained up to a number smaller than the ball payout set number, and the number of payouts is smaller than the ball payout set number. The ball dispensing apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a control unit that switches to the intermittent dispensing mode and performs a remaining ball dispensing operation after the operation is completed. The cam is configured by combining a central cam that pushes and displaces the arm when rotating, and an annular cam that switches a displacement amount of the arm pressed by the central cam according to a forward and reverse rotational direction of the central cam. The ball dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2. The arm includes a first arm engaged with and disengaged from a small-diameter inner lock claw formed in an annular shape on an end surface of the rotary shaft, and a large-diameter outer lock formed concentrically with the inner lock claw on the same end surface of the rotary shaft. The ball dispensing apparatus according to claim 1 or 2, wherein a second arm that engages with and disengages from the claw is used in combination.

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