JP6037231B2 - Game ball transport device - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a game ball transport device that transports and transports game balls used in gaming machines.

  In game halls where game machines using game balls such as pachinko balls are installed, the game machines are arranged on a game machine island where a plurality of game machines are installed. It comes to circulate.

  For example, the annular body is rotationally driven at the rear part of the pachinko machine game board surface, a magnet for attracting the game ball on the front surface of the game board is provided on the annular body, the annular body is rotationally driven to move the magnet up and down, and A technique related to a game ball lifting device that lifts or lowers a game ball while adsorbing the game ball is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In addition, the game balls with dirt are sequentially excited and attracted by electromagnetic force, and polishing is performed by extending the game balls from the lower tank on the game machine installation island to the game ball supply tank on the game machine installation island on the opposite side of the lifting surface. A technique related to a lifting and polishing apparatus that lifts while making contact with a cloth while performing polishing is known (for example, see Patent Document 2). Further, a large number of solenoid coils are provided along the outer peripheral surface of the non-magnetic pipe, which is the iron ball feeding path, and the solenoid coils are sequentially turned on and when the solenoid coil arranged next to the turned on solenoid coil is turned on. A technique related to an iron ball transfer device that is simultaneously turned off is known (for example, see Patent Document 3).

JP 2004-337482 A JP 2010-158328 A JP 2000-185162 A

  Thus, in an apparatus like patent document 1, since a conveyance power increases, so that raising height becomes high, ie, conveyance length becomes long, big motive power is required. Further, since mechanical components including chains, sprocket wheels, and motors are worn, it is difficult to maintain the lifting capacity for a long period of use. In addition, in the apparatus as described in Patent Document 2, it is necessary to control the excitation timing of the electromagnet by the microprocessor. In order to prevent the game ball from falling, the electromagnets are always excited sequentially. It is necessary to be sucked into. Further, in the apparatus as described in Patent Document 3, the iron balls are adsorbed to the solenoid coils that are sequentially turned on. To prevent the iron balls from falling, the solenoid coils are always turned on sequentially. Need to be sucked up.

  SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a game ball transport device that can transport a game ball upward with a simple structure and suppresses power consumption.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problem, the invention described in claim 1 is a game ball transport device for transporting a game ball used in a gaming machine, wherein the transport ball can pass through the game ball, and the transport body. A plurality of coils arranged at predetermined intervals along the axial direction of the transport body, and a circuit for supplying a current to the plurality of coils. By causing a current to flow through all of the plurality of coils , a plurality of electromagnetic fields having an electromagnetic force capable of transporting the game ball along the axial direction in the transport body are generated, and the game ball is moved by the plurality of electromagnetic fields. A game ball transport device that transports in an axial direction within the transport body.

According to the present invention, a current is passed through all of the plurality of coils by the circuit, thereby generating a plurality of electromagnetic fields having an electromagnetic force capable of transporting the game ball along the axial direction in the transport body. It is transported along the axial direction in the transport body by a plurality of electromagnetic fields.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the gaming ball transport device according to the first aspect, the transport body can be divided in the axial direction, and the coils are respectively disposed on the divided transport bodies. It is characterized by that.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the game ball transport device according to the first or second aspect, a stopper for preventing a backflow of the game ball is disposed in the transport body. To do.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the gaming ball transport device according to the first to third aspects, the circuit includes a sensor that detects an amount of the gaming ball, and the gaming ball detected by the sensor. When the amount of is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the circuit causes a current to flow through the coil.

  According to the first aspect of the present invention, since the game ball is transported along the axial direction in the transport body by the electromagnetic force generated along the axial direction in the transport body, a mechanical configuration including a belt, a pulley, a drive motor, and the like. Driving noise can be suppressed compared to the case of using parts. Further, since mechanical components are unnecessary and the number of components is reduced, the apparatus can be simplified and downsized. Further, since the mechanism for transporting the game ball is simplified, the occurrence of failure can be reduced.

  According to the second aspect of the present invention, since the carrier and the coil can be divided in the axial direction, only the relevant part can be replaced at the time of failure or inspection, so that maintenance is easy.

  According to the invention of claim 3, since the stopper for preventing the backflow of the game ball is disposed in the transport body, the backflow of the game ball can be prevented. In other words, even when the flow of current to the coil is interrupted, the game ball can be prevented from falling by the stopper.

  According to the fourth aspect of the invention, only when the amount of game balls is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, the circuit controls the current to flow through the coil. be able to.

It is the figure which fractured | ruptured some game ball conveying apparatuses based on embodiment of this invention, and showed the inside. It is the figure which fractured | ruptured some game ball conveying apparatuses of FIG. 1, and showed the inside. It is the top view which fractured | ruptured some game ball conveying apparatuses of FIG. 1, and showed the inside. It is a top view which shows the conveyance body of the game ball conveying apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the state which the electromagnetic force produced around the conveyance body of the game ball conveying apparatus of FIG. It is a figure which shows the circuit of the game ball conveying apparatus of FIG. It is the figure which showed the game hall where the gaming machine island was installed. It is the figure which fractured | ruptured and showed the inside of the game ball conveying apparatus which concerns on other embodiment of this invention.

  The present invention will be described below based on the illustrated embodiments.

  FIGS. 1 to 3 are views showing a game ball transport device 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The game ball transport device 1 is a game ball used in a gaming machine 210 as shown in FIG. This is a device for collecting out balls that did not win in 101 and transporting them above the gaming machine island 200. A plurality of gaming machines 210 are installed on the gaming machine island 200, and below the gaming balls 101 that receive the gaming balls 101 that are discharged to the outside by entering the winning or out winning holes of the gaming machine 210. A collection tank 211 is disposed, and a game ball supply tank 212 for supplying the game ball 101 to the game machine 210 is disposed above. In this embodiment, the case where the game ball 101 circulates in an island (game machine group) constituted by a plurality of game machines 210, that is, a so-called game machine island 200 will be mainly described. It may be a case where it circulates only within the gaming machine 210.

“Configuration of Game Ball Transfer Device 1”
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the game ball transport device 1 mainly includes a transport tube 2 as a transport body, a dust dropping slat 3, a coil 4, a stopper 5, and a discharge as shown in FIG. Circuit 6.

“Configuration of the transport pipe 2”
As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the transport pipe 2 is composed of a non-magnetic pipe having a substantially square cross section through which the game ball 101 can pass, and in parallel so that the axial direction is the vertical direction. In this embodiment, six transport pipes 2 ₁ to ₂₆ are provided. As shown in FIG. 4, the cross section of the transfer tube 2 has a substantially square shape in which the length of one side is slightly larger than the diameter of the game ball 101, and each inner peripheral surface portion of the transfer tube 2 and the game ball 101 are separated from each other. It touches only with 4 points. The transfer pipe 2 has a lower end side opening 2a connected to the game ball collection tank 211 side of the gaming machine island 200 and an upper end side opening 2b connected to the game ball supply tank 212 side.

  An electromagnetic field directed from the bottom to the top is formed on the inner peripheral side of the transport pipe 2 by a current flowing in the coil 4 described later. Thereby, the game ball 101 that has flowed in from the game ball collection tank 211 side through the lower end side opening 2a is transported from the lower side to the upper side through the transport pipe 2, and is transferred from the upper end side opening 2b to the game ball supply tank 212. It comes to leak. Here, the shape of the transport pipe 2 is not limited to a straight pipe having a substantially square cross section, but may be a straight pipe having a cross section including another substantially polygonal shape or a substantially elliptical shape. Further, it may be an intuition pipe having a substantially circular cross section. In this case, since each inner peripheral surface portion of the transport pipe 2 and the game ball 101 are in contact with each other over the entire circumference, the friction increases. Further, the number of the transport pipes 2 arranged in parallel is not limited to six, and the number may be increased or decreased in accordance with the transport capability of the game balls 101 in the gaming machine island 200. Furthermore, the conveyance pipe 2 may be a curved pipe having a bent portion.

Further, the transport pipe 2 may be formed by integrating _six 2 ₁ to ₂₆ so as to facilitate maintenance.

  Furthermore, the transport pipe 2 may be configured by connecting a plurality of transport pipes 2 divided in the axial direction. By doing in this way, the length adjustment of the conveyance pipe 2 according to the gaming machine island 200 becomes easy, and the maintenance becomes easy.

"Composition of garbage dropping slats 3"
The garbage dropping slat 3 has one end connected to the game ball collection tank 211 side and the other end connected to the transport tube 2 side (lower end side opening 2a). As shown in FIGS. In a state in which these are aligned, the game balls are sent out from the game ball collection tank 211 to the transport pipe 2 side. As shown in FIG. 2, the dust dropping slat 3 is set at an inclination angle θ so that the lower end side opening 2a side is lowered, so that the game ball 101 is sent from the game ball collection tank 211 side to the transport pipe 2 side. It has become. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, the garbage dropping snowboard 3 has rails 32 formed by plate bodies 31 arranged at intervals smaller than the diameter of the game balls 101, and the game balls 101 are adjacent to each other. It rolls on the two plate bodies 31. Dust dropped Sunoko 3, which is increased or decreased in accordance with the number of the transport tube 2, in this embodiment, the seven plates ₃₁ 1 to 31 ₇ 6 rails ₃₂ 1-32 ₆ is formed ing. This rail unit 321 _to 323 _6, so that the game ball 101 in the state aligned, respectively, are guided toward the respective lower end opening 2a of the transport pipe 2 by one ball.

  Further, since the dust dropping slats 3 are formed in a rail shape, when the game balls 101 pass over the dust dropping slats 3, the dusts attached to the surface of the game balls 101 or the dusts and foreign matters transported together with the game balls 101. Falls down.

"Configuration of coil 4"
As shown in FIG. 1, the coils 4 ₁ to 4 _i are disposed at predetermined intervals in the axial direction so as to surround the outer periphery of the six transport pipes 2. A current flows through the coil 4 by a discharge circuit 6 described later, and an electromagnetic field as shown in FIG. 5 is generated. That is, the coil 4 forms an electromagnetic field from the bottom to the top on the inner peripheral side of the transport pipe 2. The number of windings and the value of the flowing current are set in the coil 4 so as to generate an electromagnetic force that can lift the game ball 101 up to the upper coil 4. And, specifically, the game ball 101 that has flowed into the conveying pipe 2 from the lower end opening 2a, lifted upward by the electromagnetic field formed by the coil 4 _1, the transport tube by an electromagnetic field which is formed by the next coil 4 ₂ Raise the inside of 2 further upward. In this way, the electromagnetic field generated by the coil 4 sequentially lifts the game balls 101 in the transport pipe 2 upward.

  Further, the transfer pipe 2 having the coil 4 disposed on the outer periphery is provided with a low-frequency magnetic shield on the whole in order to remove electromagnetic noise.

"Configuration of stopper 5"
The stopper 5 is for preventing the backflow of the game ball 101 and is disposed on the inner peripheral surface portion of the transport tube 2 at a predetermined interval, here, between the adjacent coils 4 ₁ to 4 _i . The stopper 5 is disposed so as to protrude from the inner peripheral surface portion of the transfer tube 2 and prevent the game ball 101 from passing through, and can be tilted upward. The stopper 5 is normally biased by a spring so as to protrude into the transfer tube 2. When the game ball 101 comes into contact with the game tube 101 from below in the transfer tube 2, the stopper 5 is tilted upward and the game ball 101 is transferred to the transfer tube 2. 2 can pass through. And when the game ball 101 passes, the stopper 5 protrudes in the conveyance pipe 2 again. In other words, the stopper 5 prevents the game ball 101 from falling downward and does not prevent the game ball 101 being transported upward from below.

“Configuration of Discharge Circuit 6”
The discharge circuit 6 is an AC200V three-phase commercial power supply, and is configured to allow a current to flow by connecting the coil 4 to an output terminal OUTPUT in the drawing. Further, as shown in FIG. 2, the discharge circuit 6 includes a detection sensor 60 that detects whether or not the game ball 101 staying in the garbage dropping stool 3 is a predetermined amount or more. When the detection sensor 60 detects a predetermined amount or more of the game balls 101 on the dust dropping slats 3, the discharge circuit 6 is turned on, and when a predetermined amount or more of the game balls 101 are not detected on the dust dropping slats 3, That is, when the game ball 101 on the garbage dropping slat 3 is less than a predetermined amount, the discharge circuit 6 is controlled to be turned off. Thereby, the discharge circuit 6 supplies a current to the coil 4 only when the game ball 101 staying in the garbage dropping slat 3 is a predetermined amount or more.

"Operation of the game ball transport device 1"
Next, the operation and the like of the game ball transport device 1 having such a configuration will be described.

  First, a game ball 101 that is an out ball is guided from the game ball collection tank 211 toward the lower end side 2 a of the transport pipe 2 one by one by the inclination of the dust dropping sword 3. When the detection sensor 60 detects a predetermined amount or more of the game balls 101 on the dust dropping slats 3, the discharge circuit 6 is turned on.

The lower end opening 2a game ball 101 that has flowed into the conveying pipe 2 from is conveyed in the conveying pipe 2 upward by an electromagnetic field formed by the coil 4 _1. Game ball 101, passes between the coils 4 ₁ and 4 _2, stopper 5 is pushed down upwards, the game ball 101 can pass through the inside of the conveying pipe 2. When the game ball 101 passes, the stopper 5 returns to the state where it protrudes into the transport tube 2. Game ball 101 is conveyed further upward in a conveying pipe 2 by the electromagnetic field formed by the coil 4 _2. The game ball 101 lifted to the upper end side is supplied to the game ball supply tank 212 from the upper end side opening 2b.

  In the lower end side opening 2a, the preceding game balls 101 are sequentially lifted upward in the transport pipe 2, whereby the subsequent game balls 101 flow into the transport pipe 2 from the lower end side opening 2a and are lifted upward.

  In this way, as shown in FIG. 2, the game ball 101 moves from the game ball collection tank 211 along the garbage dropping slats 3 and flows into the transport pipe 2 from the lower end side opening 2a, and sequentially upwards. Lifted. As a result, the subsequent game ball 101 moves along the dust dropping slats 3, flows into the transport pipe 2 from the lower end side opening 2 a, and is sequentially lifted upward. Such operations and actions are continuously performed, and the game balls 101 are sequentially conveyed upward.

  Then, as the game balls 101 are transported upward and flowed out to the game ball supply tank 212, the game balls 101 on the dust dropping slats 3 decrease. At this time, when the detection sensor 60 detects that the game ball 101 on the dust dropping slat 3 is not more than a predetermined amount, the discharge circuit 6 is turned off. That is, since an electromagnetic field is not generated in the transport pipe 2, the transport of the game ball 101 is stopped. At this time, the game ball 101 in the transport pipe 2 is supported by the stopper 5 and is in a state in which backflow (falling) is prevented.

  Thereafter, the game balls 101 are guided from the game ball collection tank 211 one by one toward the lower end side opening 2a by the inclination on the dust dropping slats 3. When the detection sensor 60 detects a predetermined amount or more of the game balls 101 on the dust dropping slats 3, the discharge circuit 6 is turned on. That is, since an upward electromagnetic field is generated in the transport pipe 2, the game balls 101 are sequentially transported upward. Such an operation is sequentially repeated in accordance with the discharge of the game ball 101 from the gaming machine 210, that is, the storage of the game ball 101 on the garbage dropping stool 3.

  As described above, according to the game ball transport device 1, the game ball 101 is transported upward along the axial direction in the transport tube 2 by the electromagnetic force generated along the axial direction in the transport tube 2. Driving noise can be suppressed compared to the case where mechanical components such as a belt, a pulley, and a driving motor are used. Further, since mechanical components are not required and the number of components is reduced, the apparatus can be simplified and miniaturized. Moreover, since the mechanism for transporting the game ball 101 is simplified, the occurrence of failure can be reduced.

  In addition, since the transport pipe 2 and the coil 4 can be divided in the axial direction, only the relevant part can be replaced at the time of failure or inspection, so that maintenance is easy.

  Furthermore, since the stopper 5 for preventing the backflow of the game ball 101 is provided in the transport pipe 2, the backflow of the game ball 101 can be prevented. In other words, even if the current flow to the coil 4 is interrupted according to the amount of the game ball 101 on the garbage dropping stool 3, the game ball 101 is prevented from flowing backward in the transport pipe 2 by the stopper 5. can do.

  Furthermore, only when the detection sensor 60 detects that the amount of the game ball 101 on the garbage dropping slat 3 is greater than or equal to a predetermined value, the circuit controls the current to flow through the coil 4. The power consumption can be suppressed as compared with the case where the current is continuously supplied to the power source 4.

Although the embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the specific configuration is not limited to the above embodiment, and even if there is a design change or the like without departing from the gist of the present invention, Included in the invention. For example, in the implementation of the above invention, the transport pipe 2 is a straight pipe. However, as shown in FIG. 7, it may be a branch path, that is, a transport path to which the branch transport pipe 20 is connected. . For example, the game ball transport device 1 normally transports the game ball 101 from the game ball collection tank 211 to the game ball supply tank 212. However, at the time of inspection, the game ball collection device 211 transfers the game ball 101 to another tank. A case where the game ball 101 is transferred to the branch transfer pipe 20 when the ball 101 is transferred will be described. When the game ball 101 is transported to the branch transport pipe 20, the discharge circuit 6 is controlled so that a current flows through the coils 4 ₁ to 4 _i and the coils 40 ₁ to 40 _i . Thus, the lower end opening 2a game ball 101 that has flowed into the conveying pipe 2 from being conveyed in a conveying pipe 2 upward by an electromagnetic field formed by the coil 4 _1, the electromagnetic field formed by the following coil 4 ₂ The inside of the transport pipe 2 is further transported upward. Then, and then adapted to be conveyed energization has been and coil 40 ₁ branch conveying pipe 20 is sucked into the branch conveying pipe 20 by the electromagnetic field formed by a predetermined direction. Thus, by controlling the discharge circuit 6 and changing the coils 4 and 40 to be energized, the transport path of the game ball 101 can be freely changed. In addition, even in this case, the game ball transport device 1 can suppress driving noise, and the number of components can be reduced, so that the size of the device can be reduced and the mechanism can be simplified, so that failure occurs. Can be reduced.

  In addition, the game ball transport device 1 can be used in place of a bowl for transferring the game ball 101 from the game ball supply tank 212 to the game ball supply tank 212 of another gaming machine island 200. When a normal basket is installed, an inclination for rolling the game ball 101 is required. However, when the game ball transport device 1 is employed, the game is caused by electromagnetic force generated along the axial direction in the transport pipe 2. The sphere 101 can be transported in a desired direction along the axial direction in the transport tube 2. This eliminates the need for the inclination required when installing the basket, and the height of the feeding side for providing the inclination can be reduced, so that the apparatus can be miniaturized and the mechanism can be simplified.

  Moreover, since the electromagnetic field of a predetermined direction can be formed in the conveyance pipe 2 by the coil 4, the conveyance pipe 2 is not a straight line, but is a curved pipe having a curved portion if the game ball 101 can pass through. Also good. Thereby, the conveyance path | route of the game ball | bowl 101 can be freely set according to the layout of the game machine island 200 in a game arcade.

  Further, the transport tube 2 is not limited to a tubular shape, and may be a plate shape in which grooves that allow the game ball 101 to pass are formed in parallel.

  Furthermore, the game ball 101 is polished by disposing a polishing device on the lower end side opening 2a side or the upper end side opening 2b side of the transport pipe 2 or by disposing a polishing member on the inner peripheral surface portion of the transport pipe 2. You may make it do.

1 game ball transport device 2 transport pipe (transport body)
2a Opening at lower end 2b Opening at upper end 3 Dust dropping slat 4 Coil 5 Stopper 6 Discharge circuit 60 Detection sensor (sensor)
101 gaming ball 200 gaming machine island 210 gaming machine 211 gaming ball collection tank 212 gaming ball supply tank

Claims (4)

A game ball transport device for transporting game balls used in gaming machines,
A carrier through which the game ball can pass;
A plurality of coils that are wound around the outer periphery of the carrier, and are arranged at predetermined intervals along the axial direction of the carrier;
A circuit for supplying current to the plurality of coils;
With
By causing a current to flow through all of the plurality of coils by the circuit, a plurality of electromagnetic fields having an electromagnetic force capable of transporting the game ball along the axial direction in the transport body are generated, and the game ball is moved to the plurality of coils. Transport in the axial direction in the transport body by an electromagnetic field,
A game ball transport device characterized by that. The carrier can be divided in the axial direction;
The coils are respectively disposed on the divided transport bodies,
The game ball transport device according to claim 1. A stopper for preventing backflow of the game ball is disposed in the transport body.
The game ball transport device according to claim 1, wherein the game ball transport device is a game ball transport device. The circuit includes a sensor that detects the amount of the game ball, and when the amount of the game ball detected by the sensor is equal to or greater than a predetermined value, a current is passed through the coil by the circuit.
The game ball transport device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein

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