JP5097801B2 - Game machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to an improvement of an illumination unit which is mounted on a gaming machine such as a pachinko gaming machine and exhibits an electric decoration function.

In gaming machines such as pachinko machines and arrange balls, conventionally, not only lighting effects but also status changes such as changes in gaming status on the gaming board are visually expressed and notified, and the electric Light sources such as LED lamps and filament lamps are arranged on the board surface, board surface parts, and other arbitrary parts for the purpose of, for example, achieving a decoration effect.
In addition, chip LEDs are mounted on board parts that represent people, animals, anime characters, etc., and the LEDs emit light in accordance with the progress of the game, thereby providing a characteristic effect in the progress of the game. Decoration devices are also known.
Since the LED is a so-called point light source with a small light emitting area, in order to obtain a wide illumination area, it is necessary to increase the number of LEDs mounted on a panel component or to diffuse light using a light guide, a diffusion film, or the like. . However, the increase in the number of LEDs is limited due to installation space, weight limitations, and the like, and there is a problem that the thickness dimension increases when light is diffused using a light guide or the like.
For example, in Patent Document 1 (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2005-204797), a translucent and light diffusing surface is provided on the surface of a translucent cover member disposed on the front side of a light source lamp (top view type LED) as a point light source. A light emitting decoration device is disclosed in which a film having a property is attached and a lens is disposed in front of a cover member to diffuse light from a point light source.
However, when viewed from the front, it is still difficult to eliminate the flashing in which light emission from the top view type LED located at the center of the lens is strongly recognized. In addition, in order to diffuse the light from such a top view type LED, it is necessary to secure a sufficient gap between the LED and the inner surface of the cover member, and the overall thickness increases. It was difficult to apply to the required lighting device.

JP 2005-204797 A

Thus, in the illumination device using the chip LED, in order to increase the light emission amount and expand the emission range, it is the easiest measure to increase the number of LEDs to be used. This is not a good idea because it increases weight and costs. That is, the number of LEDs that can be used in the electrical decoration device is often restricted in terms of layout.
Since the chip LED is a point light source, when the light is emitted to the light guide having an area significantly larger than the beam diameter of the light emitted from the LED, the light is uniformly spread over a wide range only by the diffusing action of the light guide. When the light guide is viewed from the front, the brightness in the vicinity of the LED is high, and the light intensity unevenness and the brightness unevenness in which the brightness decreases with increasing distance from the LED are easily recognized.
Further, in order to diffuse the light from the chip LED, it is necessary to ensure a sufficient gap between the LED and the inner side surface of the light guide, and the overall thickness increases, so an electrical decoration device that is required to be thinned It was difficult to apply to.
The present invention has been made in view of the above, and while using an LED having the disadvantage of being lit up, the illumination effect is enhanced by widely diffusing the range of light emitted to the front of the light guide. The purpose is to provide units.
Moreover, this invention aims at achieving thickness reduction by reducing the gap between LED and a light guide as much as possible.

In order to solve the above-described problems, the invention of claim 1 is a gaming machine including an illumination unit , and the illumination unit is provided on a substrate and the substrate surface, and emits light forward. LED, a projecting reflection region having a reflective surface disposed in front of the top view LED and reflecting the emitted light from the top view LED in the outer diameter direction, and an outer diameter of the projecting reflection region An incident side wall projecting on the side and having a light transmission surface on the inner periphery, a diffuse inner reflection region disposed on the outer diameter side of the incident side wall, and the projecting reflection region and the diffuse inner reflection region. And is configured to internally reflect the reflected light from the projecting reflection area incident from the incident side wall and to emit the light forward from the emission area. 1 light guide member , A side-view type LED provided on the substrate surface, the light in the optical axis direction in a direction substantially perpendicular to the light emitted from the top-view type LED by incident and emitted light from the side-view type LED A plate-like second light guide member that guides light from the outer peripheral edge, and the top-view type LED and the side-view type LED feature a gaming machine that emits light in different colors .
Further, the invention of claim 2 includes a plurality of the side-view type LEDs having different emission directions, and each side-view type LED emits light in a different color, and the outer peripheral edge of the second light guide member The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the gaming machine is configured to emit light in a plurality of different colors for each region corresponding to the side view type LED .
The invention according to claim 3 is characterized by the gaming machine according to claim 1 or 2 , wherein the reflecting surface of the projecting reflection region is configured to transmit part of the emitted light.
The invention according to claim 4 is characterized in that the diffuse reflection region is constituted by a step-shaped curved recess, and the gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

  With the configuration as described above, according to the present invention, while using the LED having the disadvantage of being lit, it is possible to eliminate the shining and broaden the range of emitted light to the front of the light guide. A light guide that enhances the effect can be provided.

The front view which shows the game board surface (game board unit) of the pachinko game machine to which this invention is applied. The front view which shows the game board surface (game board unit) of the pachinko game machine to which this invention is applied. The exploded view of the illumination unit of this invention. FIG. 3 is a transparent front view of the illumination unit 1 </ b> A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Sectional drawing in the AA of FIG. Sectional drawing in the CC line | wire of FIG. The transmission front view of the illumination unit 1B in FIG. 1, FIG. Sectional drawing in the DD line | wire of FIG. Sectional drawing in the EE line | wire of FIG. The figure which shows the shape of each light guide 10a which comprises the outer lens 10. FIG. Sectional drawing in the GG line of Fig.9 (a). The figure explaining light emission of the inner lens. The figure which shows the mode of light emission of the illumination unit of this invention. The figure which shows another structure of an illumination unit.

Embodiments of the present invention will be described below in detail with reference to the drawings.
1 and 2 are front views showing a game board surface (game board unit) of a pachinko gaming machine to which the present invention is applied.
In FIG. 1, an outer rail R <b> 1 and an inner rail R <b> 2 are provided around a game area 101 in the game board 100. The outer rail R1 and the inner rail R2 guide a game ball launched from a launch device (not shown) provided below the game board 100 to the upper part of the game area 101 or to the out port 118.
An image display 111 is disposed in the center of the game area. The image display 111 is configured by, for example, a liquid crystal display panel such as a liquid crystal display device, and displays an image such as a decorative symbol corresponding to a special symbol, for example, a numeric symbol, an alphabet symbol, or a character symbol. In the so-called reach state or special game state, an effect image or the like indicating each game state is also displayed.

Note that a pair of movable objects 1 (1A, 1B) according to the embodiment of the present invention is accommodated on both sides of the image display 111, and is shown in FIG. 1 in accordance with the effects in the pachinko gaming machine. As shown in FIG. 2, it moves forward and backward from the stowed position projecting to the front side of the image display 111.
Note that the number of illumination units 1 is not limited to this number, but may be one or more than two. In this embodiment, two cases will be described as an example.
The movable accessory 1 is an illumination unit of the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an illumination unit) that can emit light by incorporating an LED (Light Emission Diode) on an internal substrate.

A first start port 113 is disposed in the lower center of the image display 111. The first start port 113 generates a right to display the first special symbol in a variable manner when the game ball wins.
An electric tulip (hereinafter referred to as “electric chew”) 114 having a pair of left and right open / close claws (movable pieces) as a variable winning device in the central area of the game board 100 and below the image display 111. Is arranged. The electric chew 114 functions as a second starting port, and generates a right to variably display the second special symbol when a game ball is won.
The electric chew 114 is configured to open for a predetermined time when the normal symbol stops in a predetermined manner.
Further, a gate 115 for operating the normal symbol 123 is provided in the right area of the game board 100.
Further, in the right region of the game board 100, on the right side of the first starting port, a big prize opening 116 of a big prize winning device that is opened in the special gaming state is arranged.
Furthermore, in the game area 101 of the game board 100, a general winning opening 117 is arranged, and a windmill and a large number of game nails (not shown) are projected. Game nails slow down the falling speed of game balls and change the direction of the fall in a complicated way to enhance the fun of game progression.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing a schematic configuration of the illumination unit 1 of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 3, the illumination unit 1 includes a light guide decorative cover 5 that is in the shape of a character, and an outer lens 10, an inner lens 20, and a printed circuit board 30 that are disposed inside the cover. Has been.
In addition, since the decorative cover 5 is not an essential structure for obtaining the effects of the present invention, it will be omitted in the following description.

Below, each said member which comprises the illumination unit 1 is demonstrated in detail.
4 is a transparent front view of the illumination unit 1A shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 4, and FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line CC in FIG. FIG.
In FIG. 5, (b) is an enlarged view of region B in (a).
7 is a transparent front view of the illumination unit 1B in FIGS. 1 and 2, FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line DD in FIG. 7, and FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE in FIG. FIG.
In FIG. 8, (b) is an enlarged view of a region F in (a).
The basic configuration of the illumination unit 1A and the illumination unit 1B is the same, but the overall shape, the shape, arrangement, and cross-sectional shape of the members differ depending on the shape of the character represented by each illumination unit. .

As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8, the illumination unit 1 (1 </ b> A, 1 </ b> B) includes an outer lens (first light guide member) 10 and an inner lens (second light guide) disposed inside the outer lens 10. Member) 20 and a substrate 30 which is disposed close to the inside of the outer lens 10 and has a top view type white LED 31 and a side view type color (RGB) LED 32 mounted on the surface thereof.
5 and 8, the top view type LED 31 is provided on the substrate 30 at a position corresponding to the through hole 21 provided in the outer lens 10, and emits light toward the outer lens 10 side (front side). To do.

On the other hand, the side-view type LED 32 is mounted on the substrate 30 at a position corresponding to the through hole 22 provided in the outer lens 10, emits light toward the end surface of the outer lens 10, and the illumination shown in FIG. It is a light source for causing the protrusion 23 protruding from the outer periphery of the unit to emit light.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7, the outer lens 10 has a shape in which individual light guides 10a are connected. As can be seen from the difference in shape between the illumination unit 1A (FIG. 4) and the illumination unit 1B (FIG. 7), the shape, width, and area of the character represented by the illumination unit 1 change. Change shape, number and arrangement.

10A and 10B are diagrams showing an example of the shape of each light guide 10a constituting the outer lens 10, wherein FIG. 10A is a front view and FIG. 10B is a side view.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line GG in FIG. 10A, and shows a path when light is actually emitted from the LED 31.
In FIG. 11, the inner lens 20 and the side view type LED 32 are not shown.
The configuration of the light guide 10a will be described in detail with reference to FIGS.
The light guide 10a is spaced apart from the top-view type LED 31 and has a reflective surface 11a that reflects light emitted from the LED 31 in the outer diameter direction. The incident side wall 12 is provided on the outer diameter side of the incident side wall 12 so as to surround the protruding reflection region 11 and has a light transmission surface 12a on the inner periphery thereof, and the stepless shape provided on the outer diameter side of the incident side wall 12 A diffuse reflection region 13 (see FIG. 10A) formed of a curved surface, and a projecting reflection region 11 and an emission region 14 arranged to face the diffuse reflection region 13 are provided.
Note that the shape of the intra-diffusion reflection region 13 is not limited to a stepless curved surface, and may be a shape having a step by a concentric continuous or discontinuous protrusion.

Further, although the projecting reflection region 11 is described as a spherical shape in the drawing, it is not limited to this shape, and may be a conical shape or the like, and may be a projection having a reflecting surface that reflects the emitted light from the LED 31 to the outer side. It ’s fine.
The light guide 10a is made of a transparent resin and has translucency. The light guide 10A transmits and guides the light from the LED 31, and the white system formed on the substrate 30 side of the light guide 10a. Only the coating film 10B and the black coating film 10C formed on the outer diameter side of the white coating film 10B only for the diffuse reflection region 13 are included. It is not formed on the light transmission surface 12 a of the side wall 12.
Since the protruding reflective region 11 facing the LED 31 is painted white, the LED 31 is not visually recognized, and most of the light can be reflected and partially transmitted. Except for light, the flashing of the LED 31 does not stand out.

In addition, in the diffuse reflection region 13, the white paint film 10 </ b> B is further overlapped with the black paint film 10 </ b> C, thereby effectively preventing white light from leaking to the inner lens 20 side and preventing color mixing. I can do it.
It should be noted that the same effect can be obtained if the projecting reflective region 11 is not coated with white, but a minute hole is formed in the mirror surface so that only a part of the light passes. Moreover, if the same effect is acquired, it will not be limited to white-type coating.

In the light guide 10a having such a configuration, most of the light emitted from the LED 31 is reflected by the reflection surface 11a of the projecting reflection region 11 toward the light transmission surface 12a of the incident side wall 12. The part passes through the projecting reflection area 11 and exits forward as light A from the exit area 14 facing the projecting reflection area 11.
Most of the light reflected by the reflecting surface 11a is directed to the incident side wall 12, passes through the light-transmitting surface 12a that is not coated, and enters the light guide unit 10A. Then, the light is reflected outward from the diffuse reflection region 13 and emitted as light B from the emission region 14 facing the diffuse reflection region 13 to the front.
Further, a part of the emitted light from the LED 31 does not enter the projecting reflection region 11 but directly enters the light guide unit 10A from the incident side wall 12 and is emitted from the emitting region 14 as light C.

As shown in FIG. 9, the light A shown in FIG. 11 emits weakly (blurred) from the center of the emission region 14 corresponding to the projecting reflection region 11, and corresponds to the diffuse reflection internal region 13 on the outer peripheral side thereof. The area to be emitted emits light B and C.
Thus, according to the light guide of the present invention, one surface emits light by the single LED 31, and the light of the LED is weak and does not stand out.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 4B, even if a large number of light guides 10a are used for the outer lens 10 and LEDs are used for each light guide 10a, the LEDs on the front side shown in FIG. The surface of the illumination unit (the outer lens 10) emits light uniformly by the light guide 10a that emits light.
Moreover, since the light of one LED is reflected and light-emitted widely by the projecting reflection area 11 and the diffuse reflection area 13 of the light guide 10a provided on the outer lens 10, the LED for causing the outer lens 10 as a whole to emit light. Can be greatly reduced.

FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating light emission of the inner lens 20. As described with reference to FIG. 5, the side view type LED 32 is provided in the through hole 22 provided in the inner lens 20, and emits light to the end surface of the inner lens 20.
Further, the inner lens 20 protrudes so as to border the outer periphery of the shape of the outer lens 10 and has a protruding portion 24 on the outer peripheral edge.
The light emitted from the side view type LED 32 passes through the inner lens 20 and reaches the protrusion 24. At this time, since the surface 25 on the front side (outer lens side) of the inner lens 20 is flattened, the light emitted from the LED 32 is hardly emitted from the surface 25. Further, as described above, since the black coating film 10C is provided on the surface of the outer lens 10 on the inner lens 20 side, even if light is emitted from the surface 25 of the inner lens 20, the light is not emitted. The light does not enter the outer lens 10, and the color light of the LED 32 is not mixed with the white light of the LED 31.
Further, the protruding portion 23 further has a refracting portion 24 having a curved cross section at the end thereof and refracting light from the LED 32 to the front side, and the refracted light is emitted as light D. .
The LED 32 shown in FIGS. 4 and 7 is provided so as to cover the entire outer periphery (one turn) of the inner lens 20.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a light emission state of the illumination unit of the present invention having the above-described configuration.
Light emitted by the LEDs 31 (lights A, B, and C) causes the entire surface of the character to emit light when the outer lens 10 emits light.
Further, the light emitted from the LED 32 (light D) is emitted so as to border the outer periphery of the character shape by the light emitting portions 24 of FIG.
As the side view type LED 32, an RGB (color) type is used.
By doing this, the color that borders the character is changed depending on the part, or the emission color of the LED 32 is changed and the emission color of each LED is changed and controlled, thereby providing a richer variety of effects. Can be performed.
By performing the light emission in front of the character and the light emission that borders the outline with different light guide members using different LEDs, it is possible to realize an unprecedented way of shining by clearly distinguishing both without mixing colors .

By the way, in the above example, the top view type LED 31 and the side view type LED 32 are mounted on the same surface (front surface) on the substrate 30, and the outer lens 10 and the outer lens 10 are sequentially mounted on the substrate 30. It is configured to be placed.
In this case, it is necessary to provide the through hole 21 in the portion of the outer lens 10 corresponding to the mounting location of the LED 31, and the LED 31 and the through hole 21 may obstruct light guiding by the outer lens 10.
Therefore, as shown in FIG. 14, the LED 32 may be mounted on the back side of the substrate 30 on the side opposite to the LED 31, and the outer lens 10 provided with the through holes 23 may be provided on the further back side of the substrate 30. Good.
By doing in this way, the through-hole provided in the outer lens 10 becomes only the through-hole 23 for LED32, and a light guide without an obstacle is attained.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Illumination unit, 10 Outer lens, 10a Light guide, 10A Light guide part, 10B Paint film, 10C Paint film, 11 Projection reflection area, 11a Reflection surface, 12 Direct incidence side wall, 12 Incident side wall, 12a Light transmission surface, 13 Intra-diffusion reflection area, 14 Emission area, 20 Inner lens, 21 Through hole, 22 Through hole, 23 Projection part, 24 Refraction part, 30 Substrate, 31 LED, 32 LED, 100 Game board, 101 Game area, 111 Image display , 113 start-up port, 114 electric chew, 115 gate, 116 large winning port, 117 general winning port, 118 out port, 123 normal design

Claims (4)

A gaming machine with an illumination unit,
The illumination unit is
A substrate,
A top view type LED provided on the substrate surface and emitting light forward;
A protruding reflecting region with a reflecting surface for reflecting the light emitted from the top-view type LED of being spaced forwardly the top-view type LED radially outward, projecting to the outer diameter side of the protruding reflecting region An incident side wall provided with a light transmission surface on the inner periphery, a diffused internal reflection region disposed on the outer diameter side of the incident side wall, and an exit region disposed opposite to the protruding reflective region and the diffused internal reflection region And a first light guide configured to internally reflect the reflected light from the projecting reflective area incident from the incident side wall at the diffuse inner reflective area and to emit forward from the outgoing area. Members,
A side-view type LED provided on the substrate surface;
A plate-shaped first light that enters the light emitted from the side-view LED, guides the light in a direction substantially orthogonal to the optical axis direction of the light emitted from the top-view LED, and emits the light from the outer peripheral edge. Two light guide members;
With
The gaming machine, wherein the top view type LED and the side view type LED emit light in different colors .   A plurality of the side view type LEDs having different emission directions, and each side view type LED emits light in a different color,
  2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein the outer peripheral edge of the second light guide member is caused to emit light in a plurality of different colors for each region corresponding to each side view type LED. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein a reflection surface of the projecting reflection region is configured to transmit a part of the emitted light. The gaming machine according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the diffuse internal reflection region is formed of a step-shaped curved recess.

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