An automatic card sorting device and card sorting machine

Abstract

The application provides an automatic card arranging device and a card arranging machine. The automatic card arranging device comprises a shuffling mechanism, a card feeding mechanism and a card arranging manipulator capable of picking up card bodies from the shuffling mechanism and carrying the card bodies to the card feeding mechanism. The card bodies are picked up by the card arranging manipulator, and the card arranging manipulator can place the picked-up card bodies on the card feeding mechanism. It can be understood that the card turning in shuffling and the card feeding in card feeding can be completed by the card arranging manipulator, without relying on magnetic attraction, so that the production of mahjong cards is simpler, mahjong cards can be produced using more high-grade materials according to the preferences of players, and the card arranging operation is simpler.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of card sorting machine technology, specifically to an automatic card sorting device and card sorting machine. Background Technology

[0002] A tile sorting machine is an automated entertainment device that saves time and improves the smoothness and fairness of the game. For example, a mahjong tile sorting machine is mainly used for shuffling and sorting mahjong tiles. The working principle of existing mahjong machines is that the shuffling device of the internal mechanical device shuffles the disordered mahjong tiles by rotating and sliding them, the tile feeding device transports the mahjong tiles to the sorting machine head, and the sorting machine head stacks and pushes the mahjong tiles until the sorting is completed.

[0003] In the existing mahjong tile sorting machine, the sorting process relies on the magnetic attraction between the mahjong tiles and the shuffling and feeding devices to complete the shuffling and feeding actions. However, placing magnets inside the mahjong tiles makes the production of mahjong tiles more complicated and also causes problems such as inconvenience in using higher-end materials to make mahjong tiles and inconvenience in improving the texture of mahjong tiles. Summary of the Invention

[0004] To solve the technical problem that magnets must be placed inside existing mahjong tiles, this invention provides an automatic tile sorting device and tile sorting machine.

[0005] To achieve the objectives of this invention, the following technical solution is adopted: An automatic card sorting device includes a shuffling mechanism, a card feeding mechanism, and a card sorting robot arm capable of picking up cards from the shuffling mechanism and transporting the cards to the card feeding mechanism.

[0006] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: the card-sorting robot picks up the cards and places them on the card-feeding mechanism. It can be understood that the card-flipping operation in shuffling and the card-placing operation in card feeding can be completed by the card-sorting robot without relying on magnetic attraction, which makes the production of mahjong tiles simpler. Higher-grade materials can be used to produce mahjong tiles according to players' preferences, and the card-sorting operation is simpler.

[0007] Furthermore, the automatic card sorting device also includes a card storage mechanism, which includes card storage components for supporting a number of card blocks.

[0008] Furthermore, the card storage component is a conveying component; or, the card storage component is a rolling component.

[0009] Furthermore, the card storage mechanism also includes a card storage driver that drives the card storage component.

[0010] Furthermore, one end of the card storage component is located at the end of the card delivery mechanism.

[0011] Furthermore, the automatic card sorting device also includes a card pushing mechanism, which includes a card pushing component and a card pushing drive connected to the card pushing component. The card pushing component is used to push the cards onto the card storage component.

[0012] Furthermore, a card-receiving platform is provided between the end of the card-feeding mechanism and the beginning of the card-storing component, the card-receiving platform being used to support the cards delivered by the card-feeding mechanism.

[0013] Furthermore, the card-receiving platform is connected to a card-stacking drive that moves the card-stacking platform up and down.

[0014] Furthermore, the card sorting robot is installed on the side wall of the shuffling cylinder of the shuffling mechanism, or on the frame of the automatic card sorting device, and is located outside the shuffling cylinder.

[0015] Furthermore, the card sorting robot includes a card picking component and a robotic arm.

[0016] Furthermore, the card-collecting component includes a mounting base mounted on the robotic arm, grippers mounted on the mounting base, and a card-collecting drive that drives the grippers to open or close.

[0017] Furthermore, the gripper includes two or more grippers rotatably mounted on the mounting base.

[0018] Furthermore, the card-sorting drive includes a pusher that drives the claw to rotate and a first drive member that drives the pusher.

[0019] Furthermore, the driving end of the claw and the pushing member have a meshing gear structure.

[0020] Furthermore, the pusher has a plurality of racks corresponding to a plurality of the driving ends of the claws, and the driving ends of the claws have teeth that mesh with the racks.

[0021] Furthermore, a limiting movement structure is provided between the mounting base and the pushing member.

[0022] Furthermore, the pusher includes a gear set, and the drive end of the claw has teeth that mesh with the gear set.

[0023] Furthermore, the pusher has a plurality of protrusions corresponding to a plurality of the driving ends of the claws. When the first driving member drives the pusher to rotate until the end of the protrusion abuts against the driving end, the claw is in a clamping state.

[0024] Furthermore, a reset elastic element is provided between the claw and the mounting base; Alternatively, a reset elastic element may be provided between the two claws.

[0025] Furthermore, the gripping end of the claw is provided with a flexible protective element.

[0026] Furthermore, the flexible protective component is an airbag claw, a rubber claw, or a flexible pad.

[0027] Furthermore, the card-collecting device includes a card-suction plate, an air tube, and a regulating valve. One end of the air tube is connected to the card-suction plate, and the other end is connected to the regulating valve.

[0028] Furthermore, the regulating valve is connected to a second driving element.

[0029] Furthermore, an air pump is connected to the other end of the regulating valve; Alternatively, the suction cup is a Bernoulli suction cup, and the other end of the regulating valve is connected to an air pump or a vacuum pump.

[0030] Furthermore, the card-collecting device includes a card-suction plate and an air pump connected to the card-suction plate.

[0031] Furthermore, the air pump is a blow-suction air pump; Alternatively, the suction cup is a Bernoulli suction cup, and the air pump is a blower pump or a vacuum pump.

[0032] Furthermore, a moving component is provided at the other end of the robotic arm.

[0033] Furthermore, the robotic arm is a serial robotic arm or a parallel robotic arm.

[0034] In addition, the present invention also provides a card sorting machine, the specific solution of which is as follows: A card sorting machine includes the aforementioned automatic card sorting device.

[0035] Furthermore, the card sorting machine can be a mahjong machine, a poker machine, a dominoes machine, or a dominoes machine.

[0036] The card sorting machine provided by the present invention includes the aforementioned automatic card sorting device, and therefore has the same function as the automatic card sorting device. Attached Figure Description

[0037] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, the accompanying drawings used in the description of the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0038] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first type of card sorting machine in this embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second type of card sorting machine in this embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third type of card sorting machine in this embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fourth type of card sorting machine in this embodiment of the invention; Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fifth type of card sorting machine in this embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 yes Figure 5 An enlarged schematic diagram of part A in the middle; Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first automatic card sorting device in an embodiment of the present invention; Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second type of automatic card sorting device in this embodiment of the invention; Figure 9 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third type of automatic card sorting device in this embodiment of the invention; Figure 10 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fourth type of automatic card sorting device in this embodiment of the invention; Figure 11 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fifth type of automatic card sorting device in this embodiment of the invention; Figure 12 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the sixth type of automatic card sorting device in the embodiments of the present invention; Reference numerals: 10. Frame; 1. Shuffling mechanism; 11. Shuffling cylinder; 2. Card sorting robot; 21. Card picking component; 211. Mounting base; 212. Gripper; 2121. Gear tooth; 213. Card sorting drive; 2131. Pushing component; 2132. First drive component; 2133. Rack; 2134. Protrusion; 214. Limiting movement structure; 215. Reset elastic component; 216. Card suction plate; 217. Air pipe; 218. Regulating valve; 219. Second drive component; 22. Robotic arm; 221. Moving component; 3. Card storage mechanism; 31. Card storage component; 4. Card receiving platform; 51. Card pushing component; 6. Card delivery mechanism. Detailed Implementation

[0039] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention clearer, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present invention, but not all embodiments.

[0040] In this document, terms such as "upper," "lower," "inner," and "outer" are established based on the positional relationships shown in the accompanying drawings. Depending on the drawings, the corresponding positional relationships may also change. Therefore, they should not be interpreted as an absolute limitation on the scope of protection. Moreover, relational terms such as "first" and "second" are only used to distinguish one component from another that has the same name, and do not necessarily require or imply any such actual relationship or order between these components. Example

[0041] See Figures 1-6 This embodiment provides a card sorting machine, which can be a mahjong machine, a poker machine, a dominoes machine, or a dominoes machine. The card sorting machine includes an automatic card sorting device.

[0042] See Figures 1-12 The automatic tile sorting device includes a shuffling mechanism 1, a tile feeding mechanism 6, and a tile sorting robot 2 capable of picking up tiles from the shuffling mechanism 1 and transporting them to the feeding mechanism 6. By picking up tiles and placing them on the feeding mechanism 6, the tile sorting robot 2 can perform both the flipping during shuffling and the placing during feeding, eliminating the need for magnetic attraction. This simplifies the production of mahjong tiles, allowing for the use of higher-grade materials according to player preferences, and further simplifies the sorting operation. Additionally, the shuffling mechanism 1 performs the shuffling, and the tile sorting robot 2 randomly picks up tiles, achieving the same shuffling effect.

[0043] In detail, during the card sorting process, the shuffling mechanism 1 shuffles the cards in the shuffling cylinder 11 to complete the shuffling. It can then continue rotating, bringing the cards closer to the card sorting robot 2 on the side requiring sorting. This prevents the cards from becoming too far from the side requiring sorting later in the process, which would prevent the corresponding card sorting robot 2 from being unable to pick them up. Alternatively, the rotation can be stopped, and the card sorting robot 2 on the side containing the cards can be used in a relay manner to move the cards to the side requiring sorting, and then the card sorting robot 2 on the side requiring sorting can move them to the card delivery mechanism 6. The card sorting robot 2 is controlled by a control system, which is existing technology and typically includes a reader and a controller. This invention directly uses an existing control system, which users can configure according to their needs. The specific process of the card sorting robot 2 picking up and placing cards is not described in detail here. The card sorting robot 2 can move vertically, horizontally, and longitudinally. Preferably, it can also rotate around a central axis with the cards to flip them over. The card-stacking robot 2 can stack cards within the shuffling mechanism 1 (the robot picks up a card from the shuffling mechanism 1, places it on another card, and then transports the stack to the delivery mechanism 6; the robot repeats this process until card stacking is complete), or it can stack cards on the delivery mechanism 6 (the robot picks up a card from the shuffling mechanism 1, transports it to the delivery mechanism 6, then picks up another card from the shuffling mechanism 1 and transports it on the previous card; the robot repeats this process until card stacking is complete), or it can stack cards at the stacking and pushing mechanism at the end of the delivery mechanism 6. The stacking and pushing mechanism performs both stacking and pushing, which is existing technology and will not be described in detail here. The specific timing of card stacking is set according to needs and is not specifically limited here. The number of card-sorting robotic arms 2 can be the same as or more than twice the number of card-feeding mechanisms 6. Some of the card-sorting robotic arms 2 pick up the cards and place them in predetermined positions, while others pick up the cards in predetermined positions and place them on the card-feeding mechanisms 6. Understandably, the cards in the disordered state in the shuffling mechanism 1 may undergo more than two segmented transfers to the card-feeding mechanism 6. Since the positions of the disordered cards are uncertain and may need to be flipped, the required time may be longer. Therefore, it is preferable that there are more card-sorting robotic arms 2 used to place the cards in predetermined positions than card-feeding robotic arms 2 used to place the cards on the card-feeding mechanisms 6.

[0044] See Figure 2-5 The shuffling mechanism 1 typically has a shuffling disk and a card-dispensing strip, while the card-feeding mechanism 6 typically has a card-feeding drive and a conveyor belt for card feeding. Compared with the existing shuffling mechanism 1 and card-feeding mechanism 6, the shuffling mechanism 1 and card-feeding mechanism 6 in this embodiment are identical in structure except that a magnetic suction structure is not required. Therefore, the specific structures of the shuffling mechanism 1 and card-feeding mechanism 6 will not be described in detail here.

[0045] In one embodiment, the card-sorting robot 2 is mounted on the side wall of the shuffling drum 11 of the shuffling mechanism 1 to facilitate card picking. In another embodiment, the card-sorting robot 2 is mounted on the frame 10 of the automatic card-sorting device and located outside the shuffling drum 11. For example, if the card-sorting machine is a four-port machine, see [reference needed]. Figure 2-3 The frame 10 can be the frame between the shuffling cylinder 11 and the card feeding mechanism 6, so that the card sorting robot 2 can place the cards on the card feeding mechanism 6. If the card sorting machine is a rotorcraft, the frame 10 can be the base plate between two adjacent rotors or on the rotor shell. Of course, the card sorting robot 2 can also be set at the bottom of the table, so as to pick up the cards from the shuffling mechanism 1 and transport the cards to the card feeding mechanism 6.

[0046] Furthermore, the automatic card sorting device also includes a card storage mechanism 3, which includes a card storage component 31 for carrying several stacks of cards. A card storage groove is formed above the card storage component 31. Preferably, the card storage mechanism 3 has a card baffle plate at the end of the card storage component 31 to restrict the cards from moving out of the card storage component 31. The card sorting robot 2 picks up the cards from the card shuffling mechanism 1 and places them on the card delivery mechanism 6, which then transports them to the card storage component 31.

[0047] In one implementation, see Figure 2-3 The card storage component 31 is located at the end of the card feeding mechanism 6. When the card feeding mechanism 6 delivers the card to the end of the card storage component 31, the card will move onto the card storage component 31 due to inertia. In this embodiment, the card storage mechanism 3 also includes a card storage drive (not shown) that drives the card storage component 31. The card storage drive drives the card storage component 31 to move so that the card delivered from the card feeding mechanism 6 is in another position on the card storage component 31. If there is a gap between adjacent cards, the previous card will gradually come into contact with the subsequent card under the stop of the card baffle to eliminate the gap until the card arrangement is completed.

[0048] In another implementation, see Figure 4-6The automatic card sorting device also includes a card pushing mechanism. The card feeding mechanism 6 is located at the starting end of the card storage unit 31. When the card feeding mechanism 6 delivers the cards to its end, the card pushing mechanism pushes the cards onto the card storage unit 31. In one example, the card position changes on the card storage unit 31. During repeated card sorting and pushing processes, the card pushing mechanism pushes the cards previously located on the card storage unit 31 to the next storage position until the card sorting is completed. Specifically, the card pushing mechanism includes a card pushing component 51 and a card pushing drive (not shown) connected to the card pushing component 51. Driven by the card pushing drive, the card pushing component 51 pushes the cards on the card feeding mechanism 6 onto the card storage unit 31 and pushes the cards on the card storage unit 31 to the next storage position. The card pushing drive can be a drive motor or an electric telescopic rod, etc. There are many publicly available drive components, which will not be described in detail here. In another example, the card storage mechanism 3 also includes a card storage driver that drives the card storage component 31 to move so that the cards subsequently pushed by the card pusher 51 are in another position on the card storage component 31.

[0049] In another implementation, see Figure 1 , 4 -6. A card-receiving platform 4 is provided between the end of the card-feeding mechanism 6 and the beginning of the card-storing component 31. The card-receiving platform 4 is used to carry the cards delivered by the card-feeding mechanism 6. The automatic card sorting device also includes a card-pushing mechanism. It can be understood that the cards delivered by the card-feeding mechanism 6 will first move to the card-receiving platform 4 due to inertia, and then be pushed to the card-storing component 31 by the card-pushing component 51. The way the position of the cards on the card-storing component 31 changes is as described above. It can be pushed by the card-pushing component 51 or the card-storing component 31 can be moved, which will not be described again here. In this embodiment, the card-receiving platform 4 can be connected to a card-stacking drive that drives it to rise and fall. After the card-feeding mechanism 6 delivers the previous card to the card-receiving platform 4, the card-stacking drive drives the card-receiving platform 4 to fall. The next card delivered by the card-feeding mechanism 6 will be stacked on the previous card. After the card stacking is completed, a card-pushing operation is performed, and the card-receiving platform 4 is reset. When sorting cards, the card stacking operation and the card-pushing operation are repeated until the sorting is completed. Stacking cards can be achieved by raising and lowering the card-holding platform 4, which can improve the speed of card arrangement.

[0050] The card storage mechanism 3 has a card blocking plate on the side of the card storage component 31 away from the card delivery mechanism 6 at the starting end, so as to prevent the card body from passing over the starting end of the card storage component 31 or over the card receiving platform 4 due to inertia.

[0051] Preferably, the card storage component 31 can move under the drive of the card storage driver. The card body can be carried to a predetermined position by the movement of the card storage component 31, reducing the movement of the card body relative to the card storage component 31, thereby reducing the friction between the card body and the card storage component 31 and reducing wear on the card body. In one example, the card storage component 31 is a conveyor, which can be a conveyor belt, chain, chain plate, or rotating plate. When the card sorting machine is a four-port machine, the conveyor conveys linearly; when the card sorting machine is a rotor machine, the conveyor rotates circumferentially. In another example, the card storage component 31 is a rolling component, which can be a roller or drum. Rolling friction between the card body and the card storage component 31, relative to sliding friction, can reduce wear on the card body. There are many existing disclosures of conveyor structures such as conveyor belts, chains, chain plates, rotating plates, rollers, and drums. How the card storage driver connects to and drives the movement of the card storage component 31 is also existing technology. This invention directly uses existing card storage drivers and will not be described in detail here.

[0052] Further, see Figure 1 , 6 -12 The card sorting robot 2 includes a card picking component 21 and a robotic arm 22. One end of the robotic arm 22 is connected to the card picking component 21, and the other end is directly connected to the shuffling cylinder 11 or the frame 10, or the other end of the robotic arm 22 is connected to the shuffling cylinder 11 or the frame 10 via a connecting seat. See also Figure 1 , 7 Preferably, the other end of the robotic arm 22 is provided with a moving component 221. The moving component 221 includes a moving base and a moving part. The moving base is mounted on the shuffling cylinder 11 or the frame 10, and the moving part is fixed to the other end of the robotic arm 22, so that the robotic arm 22 can be moved horizontally within the card sorting machine through the moving component 221, increasing the operable range of the card sorting robot 2. Preferably, the robotic arm 22 is a serial robotic arm 22, which is composed of multiple arms connected in sequence. Each arm controls the movement of the robotic arm 22 through the rotation of a joint. Each arm of the serial robotic arm 22 is connected to an independent drive source. Of course, the robotic arm 22 can also be a parallel robotic arm 22, which is composed of multiple arms connected together and performs operations through one or more common end effectors. The multiple arms of the parallel robotic arm 22 cooperate together and have high rigidity and stability.

[0053] See Figure 7-9The card-collecting component 21 includes a mounting base 211 mounted on the robotic arm 22, grippers 212 mounted on the mounting base 211, and a card-sorting drive 213 that drives the grippers 212 to open or close. The grippers 212 include two or more claws rotatably mounted on the mounting base 211. The card-sorting drive 213 drives the claws to rotate relative to the mounting base 211 to open or close. Specifically, each claw includes a driving end and a gripping end. The mounting base 211 may also be part of the end of the robotic arm 22, or the mounting base 211 and the robotic arm 22 may only be connected by a mounting connection, depending on the actual situation.

[0054] Further, see Figure 8-9 The card-sorting drive 213 includes a pusher 2131 that drives the claw to rotate, and a first drive member 2132 connected to the pusher 2131. The pusher 2131 is connected to the drive end of the claw. Specifically, the first drive member 2132 drives the pusher 2131 to rotate, causing the claw connected to the pusher 2131 to rotate. The first drive member 2132 can be a DC motor, an AC motor, a stepper motor, or a servo motor.

[0055] In one embodiment, the drive end of the claw and the pusher 2131 have meshing gear teeth 2121, which makes the rotation of the claw more stable. See also [example description missing]. Figure 9 The pushing member 2131 has several racks 2133 corresponding to several driving ends of the claws. The driving end of the claw has teeth 2121 that mesh with the racks 2133. When the first driving member 2132 drives the pushing member 2131 to move, the racks 2133 on the pushing member 2131 also move simultaneously, causing the claws meshing with the racks 2133 to rotate. Preferably, a limiting movement structure 214 is provided between the mounting base 211 and the pushing member 2131. Specifically, the limiting movement structure 214 includes a moving groove provided on the mounting base 211 and a moving block provided on the pushing member 2131. Of course, the limiting movement structure 214 can also be other guiding limiting movement structures 214, such as a moving guide rail assembly, etc., without specific limitations, as long as it can make the pushing member 2131 move stably. In another example, the pusher 2131 includes a gear set, and the driving end of the claw has teeth 2121 that mesh with the gear set. For example, if there are two claws and two gears in the gear set, the first drive member 2132 connects to one of the gears, and the two claws mesh with the two gears respectively, allowing the two claws to open or close. The number and type of gears in the gear set are sufficient to ensure that several claws can open or close. The gears can be ordinary gears or bevel gears, etc. The teeth 2121 at the driving end of the claw can be an integral structure with the claw, or the gears can be fixed on the claw.

[0056] In another implementation, see Figure 7-8 The pushing member 2131 has several protrusions 2134 corresponding to several driving ends of the claws. When the first driving member 2132 drives the pushing member 2131 to rotate until the ends of the protrusions 2134 abut against the driving ends, the claws 212 are in a clamping state, and the pushing member 2131 can rotate relative to the mounting base 211. The pushing member 2131 can be elliptical, with both ends corresponding to the protrusions 2134, or it can be circular but have multiple protrusions 2134. When the ends of the protrusions 2134 abut against the driving ends of the claws, they press against the claws, which is equivalent to giving the claws a clamping force, so that the claws can clamp the card body. Preferably, a reset elastic member 215 is provided between the claws and the mounting base 211; or, a reset elastic member 215 is provided between two claws. After the claws have completed the card body handling and are no longer subjected to the abutting force, they are driven to open by the reset force of the reset elastic member 215 to facilitate the next card clamping.

[0057] Furthermore, the gripping end of the claw is provided with a flexible protective element, allowing the claw to flexibly grip the card body, preventing wear and tear. Preferably, the flexible protective element is an airbag claw or a rubber claw. Alternatively, a flexible pad can be fixedly provided on the gripping side of the claw. The flexible pad can be an airbag pad, a rubber pad, a sponge pad, or a piece of velvet, etc. Example

[0058] In this embodiment, the parts that are the same as in Embodiment 1 are given the same reference numerals, and the same text descriptions are omitted.

[0059] Compared to Embodiment 1, the automatic card sorting device provided in this embodiment has the following structural design differences: See Figure 10 The card-collecting component 21 includes a card-collecting plate 216, an air tube 217, and a regulating valve 218. The regulating valve 218 is mounted on the robotic arm 22. One end of the air tube 217 is connected to the card-collecting plate 216, and the other end is connected to the regulating valve 218. The card-collecting plate 216 is made of nitrile rubber, polyurethane, fluororubber, silicone, or nylon, and has good elasticity and wear resistance.

[0060] Preferably, the regulating valve 218 is connected to a second driving member 219, and the second driving member 219 controls the opening and closing of the regulating valve 218.

[0061] When picking up a card, the robotic arm 22 drives the card-picking component 21 to move towards the card body. When the card-suction plate 216 contacts the card body, it squeezes the card body downward, and the air in the card-suction plate 216 is expelled, thereby sucking up the card body. When it is necessary to release the card body, the second driving component 219 drives the regulating valve 218 to open, and air enters the air pipe 217. The air in the air pipe 217 enters the card-suction plate 216, and the card-suction plate 216 releases the card body.

[0062] Further, see Figure 12 The other end of the regulating valve 218 is connected to an air pump. The air pump extracts air from the card suction plate 216, putting the card suction plate 216 under negative pressure. When the card suction plate 216 contacts the card, it can hold the card. When it is necessary to release the card, the air pump is turned off, and the second driving component 219 drives the regulating valve 218 to open, allowing air to enter the air pipe 217. The air in the air pipe 217 enters the card suction plate 216, and the card suction plate 216 releases the card. The air pump eliminates the need to squeeze out air to hold the card. Example

[0063] In this embodiment, the parts that are the same as in Embodiments 1 and 2 are given the same reference numerals, and the same text descriptions are omitted.

[0064] See Figure 3 Compared to Embodiments 1 and 2, the automatic card sorting device provided in this embodiment has the following structural design differences: The card-collecting component 21 includes a card-collecting plate 216 and an air pump connected to the card-collecting plate 216 (the air pump is not shown; only the connecting pipe is shown).

[0065] In one implementation, see Figure 11 The air pump is a blow-suction air pump, which draws air when sucking in the card and blows air when releasing the card.

[0066] In one implementation, see Figure 12 The suction cup 216 is a Bernoulli suction cup. When the gas flows, the increased flow rate will cause the air pressure to decrease, thereby forming a low-pressure area at the bottom of the suction cup.

[0067] The air pump is a blower pump. When the card is taken out, the air pump inflates the air pipe 217. Due to Bernoulli's principle, the air velocity in the air pipe 217 is greater than the air velocity in the shuffling mechanism 1. The card suction plate 216 forms a low-pressure area. When the card suction plate 216 contacts the card, it can hold the card. When the card needs to be released, the blower pump is turned off, and air enters the suction plate from the nozzle or spray hole of the Bernoulli suction cup, and the suction cup releases the card.

[0068] Alternatively, the air pump is a suction pump. When the card is taken out, the air pump draws air into the air pipe 217. Due to Bernoulli's principle, the air velocity in the air pipe 217 is greater than the air velocity in the shuffling mechanism 1. The suction plate 216 forms a low-pressure area. When the suction plate 216 contacts the card, it can hold the card. When it is necessary to release the card, the suction pump is turned off, and air enters the suction cup from the nozzle or spray hole of the Bernoulli suction cup, and the suction cup releases the card.

[0069] Since the suction pump and blowing pump typically require an air tank connected to air pipe 217, after being shut down, the air pressure in the air tank must be the same as the outside pressure for the suction cup to release the card. Therefore, see Figure 12 Preferably, the card-picking component 21 also includes a regulating valve 218. The regulating valve 218 is connected to the Bernoulli suction cup through an air pipe 217. The second driving component 219 drives the regulating valve 218 to open the air pipe 217 and close the air tank. Air enters the air pipe 217 and enters the card-picking plate 216. The card-picking plate 216 releases the card. At the same time, air can also enter the suction cup from the nozzle or spray hole of the Bernoulli suction cup, providing bidirectional air intake and increasing the card release speed.

[0070] Without contradicting the spirit and technical means of this invention, at least some of the technical implementation methods in the above embodiments can be combined or replaced. The above are merely preferred embodiments of this invention, and the scope of protection of this invention is defined by the claims. Any improvements and modifications made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention should also be considered within the scope of protection of this invention.

Claims

1. An automatic card sorting device, characterized in that, It includes a shuffling mechanism, a card delivery mechanism, and a card sorting robot arm capable of picking up cards from the shuffling mechanism and transporting them to the card delivery mechanism.

2. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes a card storage mechanism, which includes card storage components for supporting a number of card blocks.

3. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The card storage component is a conveying component; or, the card storage component is a rolling component.

4. The automatic card sorting device according to any one of claims 2, characterized in that, The card storage mechanism also includes a card storage driver that drives the card storage component.

5. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 4, characterized in that, One end of the card storage component is located at the end of the card delivery mechanism.

6. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 2 or 4, characterized in that, It also includes a card pushing mechanism, which includes a card pushing component and a card pushing drive connected to the card pushing component. The card pushing component is used to push the cards onto the card storage component.

7. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 6, characterized in that, A card-receiving platform is provided between the end of the card-feeding mechanism and the beginning of the card-storing component. The card-receiving platform is used to hold the cards delivered by the card-feeding mechanism.

8. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The card-receiving platform is connected to a card-stacking drive that moves the card stacking platform up and down.

9. The automatic card sorting device according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The card sorting robot is installed on the side wall of the shuffling cylinder of the shuffling mechanism, or on the frame of the automatic card sorting device, and is located outside the shuffling cylinder.

10. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The card sorting robot includes a card picking component and a robotic arm.

11. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The card-collecting component includes a mounting base installed on the robotic arm, grippers installed on the mounting base, and a card-collecting drive that drives the grippers to open or close.

12. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 11, characterized in that, The gripper includes two or more grippers rotatably mounted on the mounting base.

13. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The card sorting drive includes a pusher that drives the claw to rotate and a first drive member that drives the pusher.

14. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The driving end of the claw and the pushing member have a meshing gear structure.

15. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 14, characterized in that, The pusher has a plurality of racks corresponding to a plurality of the driving ends of the claws, and the driving ends of the claws have teeth that mesh with the racks.

16. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 15, characterized in that, A limiting movement structure is provided between the mounting base and the pushing member.

17. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 14, characterized in that, The pusher includes a gear set, and the driving end of the claw has teeth that mesh with the gear set.

18. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The pusher has a plurality of protrusions corresponding to a plurality of the driving ends of the claws. When the first driving member drives the pusher to rotate until the end of the protrusion abuts against the driving end, the claw is in a clamping state.

19. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 18, characterized in that, A reset elastic element is provided between the claw and the mounting base; Alternatively, a reset elastic element may be provided between the two claws.

20. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 12, characterized in that, The gripping end of the claw is equipped with a flexible protective component.

21. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 20, characterized in that, The flexible protective component is an airbag claw, a rubber claw, or a flexible pad.

22. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The card-collecting device includes a card-collecting plate, an air tube, and a regulating valve. One end of the air tube is connected to the card-collecting plate, and the other end is connected to the regulating valve.

23. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 22, characterized in that, The regulating valve is connected to a second driving component.

24. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 23, characterized in that, The other end of the regulating valve is connected to an air pump. Alternatively, the suction cup is a Bernoulli suction cup, and the other end of the regulating valve is connected to an air pump or a vacuum pump.

25. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The card-collecting device includes a card-collecting plate and an air pump connected to the card-collecting plate.

26. The automatic card sorting device according to claim 25, characterized in that, The air pump is a blow-suction air pump; Alternatively, the suction cup is a Bernoulli suction cup, and the air pump is a blower pump or a vacuum pump.

27. The automatic card sorting device according to any one of claims 10-26, characterized in that, The other end of the robotic arm is equipped with a moving component.

28. The automatic card sorting device according to any one of claims 10-26, characterized in that, The robotic arm is either a serial robotic arm or a parallel robotic arm.

29. A card sorting machine, characterized in that, Includes the automatic card sorting device according to any one of claims 1-28.

30. The card sorting machine according to claim 29, characterized in that, The card sorting machine can be a mahjong machine, a poker machine, a dominoes machine, or a dominoes machine.

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