JPH04295384A - Ball shooting device for electric playing machine - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To provide a small ball shooting device for an electric playing machine by which a sufficient force to hit balls is available even with a small amount of power consumption. CONSTITUTION:A hollow bobbin 1 is provided with a coil 2, the coil 2 is covered with outer frames 6,7 to form a magnetic circuit and a magnetic moving element 3 is movably passed through the bobbin 17, a cavity portion 4 is formed in the moving element 3 and a core bar 5 which protrudes outside of the outer frame 6 through the cavity portion 4 is fixed to the moving element 3, and a stroke adjusting means for adjusting the stroke required for the core bar 5 to hit a ball or a distance adjusting means for adjusting the distance between a ball located in a ball shoot position and the core bar 5 before the bar 5 starts its ball hitting action is provided. When an exciting current is passed through the coil 2, the moving element 3 and the core bar 5 are moved integrally by a magnetic field in the direction indicated by the arrow A. The force with which the core bar 5 hits balls can be varied by the stroke adjusting means or the distance adjusting means.

Description

[Detailed description of the invention]

0001

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a ball launcher that electromagnetically moves a mover, and more particularly to a ball launcher for an electric game machine such as a pachinko machine that bounces balls.

0002

[Prior Art] Conventionally, a solenoid comprising a hollow bobbin, a coil provided on the bobbin, and a magnetic mover movably inserted into the bobbin, and which moves the mover electromagnetically, is used especially in pachinko machines, etc. It is often used as a ball launcher for electric game machines. For example, Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 60-37370,
The solenoid disclosed in "Ball Launching Device for Amusement Machine" has a coil provided on a hollow cylindrical stator magnetic pole (corresponding to a bobbin), and a movable element movably inserted into the bobbin. The ball is bounced by this solenoid by applying an exciting current to the coil, applying a magnetic field to the slider, moving the slider, and using the collision spring at the tip of the ball mallet (corresponding to the mandrel) attached to the slider to bounce the ball. It is done by playing.

0003

[Problems to be Solved by the Invention] However, in order for a pachinko machine to hit a ball using the above-mentioned solenoid and have the ball reach the top of the game board from the ball hitting path extending in the vertical direction, the ball must be pushed against gravity. must be launched,
This requires considerable force. In order to cover this force with the momentum of the moving element, it is necessary to increase the number of turns in the coil and to increase the excitation current flowing through the coil. For this reason, the solenoid inevitably becomes large.

[0004] However, in game machines such as pachinko machines, not only the ball launcher but also various other devices must be installed in a limited space, and it is not desirable for the solenoid that is the ball launcher to be large. . In particular, in the case of pachinko machines, the size of the game machine is limited to some extent, so it is not easy to manufacture a solenoid that is large enough to fit in a limited space and that can provide sufficient hitting power.

In addition, large solenoids require a large amount of current to move the mover. In particular, many of the recent game machines are electrically powered, and their illuminations are becoming more luxurious, so the amount of electricity consumed by a single game machine is on the rise. Therefore, it is also desired to suppress power consumption as much as possible in order to reduce costs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a ball launcher for an electric game machine that is compact and can provide sufficient ball hitting power with low power consumption.

[0006]

[Means for Solving the Problems] The above object is achieved by the ball firing device for an electric game machine of the present invention, which device is as follows (1) or (2). ■A solenoid having a hollow bobbin, a coil provided on the bobbin, a magnetic mover movably inserted into the bobbin and having a hollow portion, and a shaft fixed to the mover so as to protrude outside the bobbin; and a stroke adjustment means for adjusting the stroke required for the mandrel to hit the ball.

■It has a hollow bobbin, a coil provided on the bobbin, a magnetic slider movably inserted into the bobbin and having a hollow portion, and a mandrel fixed to the slider so as to protrude outside the bobbin. A device comprising a solenoid and a distance adjusting means for adjusting the distance between a ball at a ball firing position and a mandrel before starting a ball batting operation. In the ball launcher of the present invention, since the solenoid mover has a cavity, the mover is lighter than a mover of the same size that does not have a cavity, and the moving speed of the mover is sufficiently high. As a result, the ball hitting force obtained by the mover becomes stronger. Furthermore, since the movable element needs to be smaller to obtain the same hitting force than a movable element of the same size without a cavity, power consumption is also reduced.

[0008] In the device of the present invention, the movable element only needs to be lightened to a certain extent, and there are no particular limitations on the shape, size, and number of cavities formed in the movable element. Specific examples of the cavity include a hollow space concentric with the center axis of the mover, countless minute holes such as pinholes, or slits. It is preferable that the cavity is provided so that the movable element moves smoothly, that is, the center of gravity of the movable element is located on the central axis. For example, taking into account the position of the center of gravity, slits are formed in the mover at regular intervals or at regular angular intervals.

[0009] Providing the cavity in the movable element makes the movable element lighter; however, it is not sufficient to limitlessly increase the volume occupancy of the cavity relative to the volume of the movable element. In other words, as will be described in the examples below, even if the moving element is made lighter and the moving speed of the moving element is increased, the ball hitting force will be weakened. It is important to appropriately select conditions that will yield the strongest results.

[0010] In addition to providing a cavity, the moving element may be covered with a plastic material having low friction, or the moving element may be formed of oil-impregnated metal.
Alternatively, it is also suitable to make the mover from plastic mixed with ferrite or powdered magnetic material. however,
If it becomes a problem that the strength of the mover decreases as the weight of the mover is reduced, the hollow portion may be filled with lightweight plastic for reinforcement.

The device (2) of the present invention includes stroke adjustment means, but this means is not specified as long as it is capable of adjusting the stroke required for the mandrel to hit the ball. For example, a stopper for stopping the translator or mandrel so that the position to which the translator or mandrel returns can be changed, or a tensioning means for pulling the mandrel or mandrel back to an arbitrary position is shown. Further, the distance adjusting means included in the device (1) of the present invention is for adjusting the distance between the ball at the ball firing position and the mandrel before the start of the ball-hitting operation, and is not limited thereto. One example is a ball stopper that supports the ball at the ball launch position and changes the supporting position;
Alternatively, there is a means to change the position of the solenoid itself.

[0012] The stroke adjustment means and the distance adjustment means are
All of these measures are used to adjust the ball hitting force of the mandrel due to the movement of the mover, and with these means, it is possible to change the force with which a ball is launched in a pachinko machine. It is appropriate that these means be operated in accordance with the specifications of the actual game machine. For example, a pachinko machine is configured to operate in conjunction with a rotary handle that a player touches to play a ball, and operates according to the rotation angle of the handle to control the strength of the ball hitting force.

[0013]

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, a ball launcher for an electric game machine according to the present invention will be explained based on an embodiment. FIG. 1 shows an example of this. However, in FIG. 1, the means for adjusting the hitting force is omitted. In this embodiment, the solenoid of the device includes a hollow cylindrical bobbin 1, a coil 2 provided on the bobbin 1, and a cylindrical magnetic mover 3 movably inserted into the hollow portion of the bobbin 1.

The mover 3 has a cylindrical cavity 4 concentric with the mover, so that the mover 3 has a hollow cylindrical shape. The distal end of the mover 3 is a tapered portion 31, and a shaft 5 made of a light non-magnetic metal or plastic is fixed to the tapered portion 32 of the tapered portion 31 with a screw or the like. The mandrel 5 has a length that projects outward from the bobbin 1 through the cavity 4 of the slider 3, and moves together with the slider 3. Mandrel 5
A stopper 51 is provided at the tip of the mandrel to prevent the mandrel from coming off the bobbin 1.

The coil 2 is covered with outer frames 6 and 7 made of magnetic metal, forming a magnetic circuit for moving the mover 3. On the inner peripheral surface of one end of the hollow part of the bobbin 1, there is a non-magnetic cylindrical shape with very low friction that allows the mover 3 to be easily positioned at the center of the hollow part and reduces friction with the mover 3. A guide member 8 is attached as a bearing. A magnetic cylindrical contact member 9 having a shape corresponding to the tapered portion 31 of the slider 3 is attached to the inner peripheral surface of the other end of the hollow portion of the bobbin 1, and the contact member 9 stops the slider 3. It has an effect. Furthermore, a locking member 10 that engages with the stopper 51 of the mandrel 5 and functions as a bearing with very low friction is provided at a portion of the abutment member 9 that projects outward from the outer frame 6.
is provided.

In addition to the solenoid configured as described above, the ball launcher of the present invention is equipped with a stroke adjusting means in the device (1) and a distance adjusting means in the device (2), and these means are shown in FIGS. Each is shown below. The solenoid shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 is a simplified version of the solenoid shown in FIG. 1, and the same parts are given the same reference numerals. First, FIG. 2 shows the stroke adjustment means. As a specific example, a stopper 200 is provided on the moving path of the mover 3 to change the return position of the mover 3 in contact with the rear end of the mover 3.
0 moves in the direction of arrow C in conjunction with the rotary handle of the pachinko machine. Note that the resilient spring 55 attached to the tip of the mandrel 5 makes it easier to bounce the ball 100. selectively,
As a means other than the stopper 200, a tensioning means 201 for pulling the rear end of the mandrel 5 may be provided. This tensioning means 201
Similarly, it is linked to the rotary handle and moves in the direction of arrow D. By using the stopper 200 or the tension means 201, the stroke of the resilient spring 55 at the tip of the mandrel 5 hitting the ball 100 at the ball firing position can be freely changed to adjust the ball hitting force.

FIG. 3 also shows distance adjusting means. As an example, a ball stopping means 2 that also has the function of supporting the ball at the ball firing position.
02 moves in the direction of arrow H. If the ball stopping means 202 moves in a state before the mandrel 5 starts the ball-hitting operation, the distance x between the resilient spring 55 at the tip of the mandrel 5 and the ball 100 changes, and as a result, the ball-hitting force can be adjusted. . Note that the tension spring 56 attached to the rear end of the mandrel 5 returns the mandrel 5 to its original position. As another means, it is also suitable to provide means 203 for moving the solenoid itself in the direction of the arrow. If the position of the solenoid changes, the distance x will change, and the hitting force can be adjusted in the same way.

When the above-mentioned ball launcher is applied to a pachinko machine, the action of the ball launcher to launch a pachinko ball will be explained with reference to FIGS. 1 and 4. The solenoid of the device shown in FIG. 4 is a simplified version of the solenoid of FIG. 1, similar to FIGS. 2 and 3. However, in FIG. 4, the device is arranged horizontally due to space limitations, but in an actual pachinko machine, the device is arranged vertically and the balls are launched vertically.

First, in the state shown in FIG. 4(a), the mandrel 5 is moved to the maximum extent in the direction of arrow B by the tension spring 56, and the stopper 51 of the mandrel 5 and the locking member 10 are engaged. Further, a ball 100 is prepared at a ball firing position located in front of the elastic spring 55 at the tip of the mandrel 5. When an excitation current is applied to the coil 2, a magnetic field is applied to the moving element 3, and the moving element 3 and the mandrel 5 begin to move together in the direction of arrow A against the restoring force of the tension spring 56.

When the mandrel 5 further moves in the direction of arrow A, the resilient spring 55 is about to collide with the ball 100, as shown in FIG. 4(b). At this time, the speed of the mandrel 5 is almost the highest, and the impact force (hitting force) applied to the ball 100 is also almost the strongest. Also, in this state, the mover 3 is in contact with the abutting member 9
The movable element 3 continues to move in the direction of arrow A without contacting with.

At the next moment, as shown in FIG. 4(c), the ball 10
0 is ejected by the resilient spring 55 in the direction of the arrow. Even after hitting the ball, the mandrel 5 moves slightly in the direction of arrow A, but the mover 3 immediately hits the contact member 9, so the mover 3 stops after moving to the maximum in the direction of arrow A. If the excitation current is cut off at this point, the magnetic field disappears and at the same time
), the slider 3 is pulled back in the direction of arrow B by the tension spring 56, and returns to the state in which the stopper 51 engages with the locking member 10, that is, the state shown in FIG. 4(a). At the same time, the next ball 101 is prepared at the ball firing position, and the mover 3 and the mandrel 5 wait for the start of the next ball hitting operation.

[0022] By repeating this ball-hitting motion, the pachinko balls are hit one after another. Of course, the ball hitting force of the mandrel 5 can be freely adjusted by operating the rotary handle to operate the stroke adjustment means (see FIG. 2) or the distance adjustment means (see FIG. 3). Here, in the solenoid of the batted ball firing device of the present invention, the mover 3 has the hollow portion 4, so the mover 3 is considerably lighter than a simple cylindrical mover of the same size that does not have the hollow portion 4. . Therefore, the moving speed of the mover 3 is higher than that of a cylindrical mover, and the force with which the resilient spring 55 hits the ball is also strong. Moreover,
In order to obtain the same hitting force, a smaller solenoid may be used than a cylindrical mover of the same size.

Incidentally, regarding the batting force of the mandrel 5, an important factor is the duration of the excitation current flowing through the coil 2 (hereinafter referred to as pulse width for convenience). Now, assuming that a pachinko ball is launched vertically, the relationship between the height at which the ball rises and the pulse width of the excitation current is as shown in FIG. However, other conditions such as the weight of the mover 3 (including the mandrel 5), the stroke of the mover 3, the position when the mandrel 5 hits the ball, etc. are all the same.

As can be seen from FIG. 5, when the pulse width is short, the batting force of the mandrel 5 is weak and the ball does not rise high. Further, if the pulse width is a, the batting force of the mandrel 5 will be maximum, and the height of the ball will also be maximum. No matter how much longer the pulse width is than the pulse width a, the height remains constant. As an element other than the pulse width, the weight of the mover 3 (including the weight of the mandrel 5, but ignored here) is important. Similarly, the relationship between the vertical height of the ball and the weight of the mover 3 is shown in FIG. As mentioned above, it is not sufficient to make the movable element 3 infinitely lighter by increasing the size of the cavity 4, but unless the movable element 3 has a certain amount of weight, sufficient ball hitting force cannot be obtained. Therefore, so that the weight of the ball becomes b when it reaches its maximum height,
Preferably, the cavity 4 is provided in the mover 3. in general,
Since the weight of the mover when the ball reaches its maximum height depends on the weight of the ball, it is desirable to adjust the weight of the mover depending on the weight of the ball used. Incidentally, when the weight b' of a cylindrical mover of the same size without a cavity is used, the height of the sphere is considerably low.

In addition to the pulse width and weight described above, stroke adjustment means or distance adjustment means are also involved in determining the height of the ball. That is, as mentioned above, these means adjust the batting force of the mandrel 5, and by changing the stroke of the mandrel 5 or the distance x between the ball at the ball launch position and the mandrel 5, the height of the ball can be adjusted. Change. FIG. 7 shows the relationship between the stroke of the mandrel 5 and the height of the ball. If the stroke becomes shorter or longer,
Since the height of the ball will be low, it is preferable to set the stroke adjustment means so that when the rotary handle is operated, a stroke range including stroke c that provides the strongest hitting force can be obtained.

The relationship between the distance x and the height of the sphere is shown in FIG. Here, too, the distance adjustment means is set so that a distance range including the distance d at which the rotary handle is operated is the maximum height. After optimally determining the pulse width and weight, the stroke adjusting means or the distance adjusting means is operated by a rotary handle, thereby making it possible to freely change the point where the pachinko balls reach.

In the above embodiment, the pachinko ball is directly hit with the mandrel 5 fixed to the mover 3, but the ball may be hit indirectly. For example, a mandrel 5 is fixed to one end of a dogleg-shaped firing mallet, so that the firing mallet swings about a fulcrum in conjunction with the mandrel 5, and a pin (or A configuration may also be used in which the ball is hit with an elastic spring attached to a pin.

[0028]

Effects of the Invention: As explained above, in the ball launcher of the present invention, the solenoid mover has a cavity, so the movement is faster than when using a cylindrical mover of the same size that does not have a cavity. The moving speed of the mover is high, and the batting force obtained by the movement of the mover is much stronger.

Therefore, in order to obtain a ball hitting force equivalent to that obtained when a cylindrical mover is used, the solenoid only needs to be small. Moreover, since it is miniaturized, power consumption is low and it is economical. Furthermore, since it is equipped with a stroke adjustment means or a distance adjustment means, if it is configured to be linked to a rotary handle in a pachinko machine, for example, the hitting force of the mandrel can be freely adjusted, and the landing point of the ball can be changed. It will be done.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a ball launcher according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram for explaining a case where a stroke adjustment means is provided in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a diagram for explaining a case in which a distance adjustment means is provided in the apparatus shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a diagram for explaining the effect when the device of the present invention is applied to a pachinko machine.

FIG. 5 is a graph showing the relationship between the height of a hit ball obtained by the mover and the pulse width of the excitation current in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a graph showing the relationship between the height of a ball hit by the movable element and the weight of the movable element in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a graph showing the relationship between the height of a hit ball obtained by the mover and the stroke of the mandrel in the apparatus of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a graph showing the relationship between the height of a hit ball obtained by the movable element and the distance x in the apparatus of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 Hollow bobbin 2
coil 3
Magnetic mover 4 Cavity 5 Mandrel 200, 201 Stroke adjustment means 202, 203
Distance adjustment means

Claims (2)

[Claims] Claim 1: A hollow bobbin, a coil provided on the bobbin,
A solenoid having a magnetic mover movably inserted into the bobbin and having a hollow portion, and a mandrel fixed to the mover so as to protrude outside the bobbin, and adjusting the stroke required for the mandrel to hit the ball. A ball launcher for an electric game machine, comprising a stroke adjustment means. Claim 2: A hollow bobbin, a coil provided on the bobbin,
A magnetic mover is movably inserted into the bobbin and has a hollow portion, and a solenoid has a shaft fixed to the mover so as to protrude outside the bobbin. 1. A ball launcher for an electric game machine, comprising distance adjusting means for adjusting the distance from the spindle.