License plate issuing agencies and mahjong machines

Abstract

This invention provides a tile-loading mechanism and a mahjong machine, including a lower tile slot and an upper tile slot with a larger relative radius of motion. A tile-pushing device includes a second tile-pushing surface and a first tile-pushing surface on one side of a tile-pushing head at one end of a tile-pushing arm. The two tile-pushing surfaces are respectively set corresponding to the upper tile slot and the lower tile slot. Through the cooperation of the first tile-pushing surface with the upper tile slot and the second tile-pushing surface with the lower tile slot, the movement of the lower layer of mahjong tiles is slightly behind that of the upper layer of mahjong tiles and pushed onto a table. The friction between the lower layer of mahjong tiles and the table is greater than the friction between the two layers of mahjong tiles, and the sliding distance of the upper layer of mahjong tiles is greater than that of the lower layer of mahjong tiles, so that the two layers of mahjong tiles on the table are aligned, eliminating the need for manual aligning of the tiles on the table and improving the user's viewing experience.

Description

License plate issuing agencies and mahjong machines Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of mahjong game equipment, specifically to mahjong machines, and particularly to a tile-adding mechanism for transferring mahjong tiles from the inner cavity of the mahjong machine to the table surface, as well as a mahjong machine containing the tile-adding mechanism. Prior Technology

[0002] A mahjong machine is a device that eliminates the need for users to shuffle and arrange the tiles, allowing multiple users to play simultaneously. It typically includes a shuffling mechanism for shuffling the mahjong tiles, a tile-laying mechanism for stacking the shuffled tiles and placing them on the table for use, a control panel for users to input commands, and a table frame for overall support.

[0003] The card-dealing mechanism needs to be set up separately for each user. For example, a typical mahjong machine is used by four users, so four sets of card-dealing mechanisms need to be set up. Each set of card-dealing mechanisms also needs to perform functions such as stacking, storing, piling, and raising cards. The table size should not be too large. Therefore, the layout space of the card-dealing mechanism is relatively limited, and the structural design needs to be very compact.

[0004] In some existing technologies, the tile-feeding mechanism includes a ring-shaped tile slot for temporarily storing tile stacks, a tile-stacking device for stacking mahjong tiles to form tile stacks, a tile-pushing device for pushing the tile stacks in the slot, and a tile-lifting device that works in conjunction with the tile-pushing device to deliver the tile stacks from the slot to the tabletop. For example, CN111991798A discloses a fully automatic mahjong machine that has the aforementioned tile slot, tile-stacking device, tile-pushing (dragging) device, and tile-lifting device, wherein the tile-lifting device uses a slanted tile-feeding method. Although such existing mahjong machines can achieve the above functions, they have some shortcomings.

[0005] Firstly, although the stacking device arranges the mahjong tiles into two neat layers, when the two layers of mahjong tiles are pushed onto the table by the slanted feeding method, the lower layer of mahjong tiles contacts the table surface (usually a rough surface), and the upper layer of mahjong tiles contacts the lower layer of mahjong tiles. The frictional resistance between the two layers of mahjong tiles is significantly less than the frictional resistance between the lower layer of mahjong tiles and the table surface. Therefore, the two layers of tiles on the table may not be neat, and some of the upper layer tiles may even fall off, affecting the user's viewing experience and gaming mood.

[0006] Secondly, existing mahjong machines cannot provide adequate feedback on the specific positions and operational states of many components in the aforementioned stacking, pushing, and lifting mechanisms. As a result, precise coordination of stacking, pushing, and lifting actions cannot be achieved. Due to poor timing of these actions, various problems may arise, such as interference between the moving parts of different devices, accidental ejection of some mahjong tiles from the slots, and some tiles sliding off the tile board.

[0007] Thirdly, if users wish to use different card-dealing modes, such as dealing cards all at once or dealing starting cards and cards separately in two separate transactions, then the card-stacking, card-pushing, and card-raising actions must be performed at the appropriate times according to the different modes. However, existing mahjong machines lack a feedback mechanism, so they cannot properly set the timing of the above actions to ensure that the actions of each device are precisely coordinated, and thus cannot realize the above different card-dealing modes. Summary of the Invention

[0008] To solve the above problems, this invention provides a mahjong machine that can automatically align two layers of mahjong tiles delivered to the table and provide timely feedback on the actions and status of stacking, pushing, and raising tiles, thereby achieving more intelligent automatic control of the tile-loading mechanism, as well as a mahjong machine containing the tile-loading mechanism.

[0009] Specifically, the following technical solution was adopted in this work:

[0010] This invention provides a tile-feeding mechanism installed in a mahjong machine having a shuffling mechanism. The tile-feeding mechanism comprises: a tile-feeding device for absorbing and feeding a plurality of mahjong tiles from the shuffling mechanism; a tile-stacking device for stacking the mahjong tiles fed by the tile-feeding device to form a tile stack, one side of the stacking device being coupled to one side of the tile-feeding device; a tile-storage device, a ring-shaped tile slot for storing the tile stack, one side of the storage device being coupled to the other side of the stacking device; a tile-pushing device for pushing and conveying the tile stack in the tile slot, the pushing device being disposed within an inner circle of the tile slot; and a liter... The tile-lifting device is used to lift the delivered tile stack onto a tabletop. One side of the tile-lifting device is correspondingly positioned on one side of the tile slot. The tile slot has an upper tile slot and a lower tile slot that are interconnected, used to transport the upper and lower layers of mahjong tiles from the stacked tile stack, respectively. The movement radius of the upper tile slot is larger than that of the lower tile slot. The tile-pushing device has a rotatable tile-pushing arm. One end of the tile-pushing arm is a tile-pushing head that moves along the tile slot to push tiles. One side of the tile-pushing head has a first tile-pushing surface corresponding to the lower tile slot and a second tile-pushing surface corresponding to the upper tile slot. The first tile-pushing surface is located further outward in one rotation direction of the tile-pushing arm than the second tile-pushing surface.

[0011] This invention provides a tile-stacking mechanism, wherein each mahjong tile contains an embedded magnet. The tile-stacking device further includes: a tile-stacking unit disposed at one of the tile inlets of the tile slot, for stacking two mahjong tiles to form a tile stack; a tile-pushing unit disposed at the tile inlet, for pushing the stacked tile stack into the tile slot by pushing; and a tile-stacking counting sensor disposed on one side of the tile inlet, which is a magnetic induction sensor, for sensing the magnet inside the mahjong tiles as they pass through the tile inlet and generating a corresponding induction signal, thereby counting the mahjong tiles stacked and entering the tile slot.

[0012] This invention provides a tile-raising mechanism, wherein each mahjong tile contains an embedded magnet. The tile storage device also has a tile-raising sensor, which is a magnetic induction sensor located on one side of a tile outlet. It is used to sense the magnet inside the mahjong tile when it reaches the tile outlet and generate a corresponding sensing signal. The tile-raising device has a support plate for supporting the tile stack and a support sensor. One end of the support plate is a receiving end facing the tile outlet of the tile slot. The support sensor is a magnetic induction sensor located on the receiving end and is used to sense the magnet inside the mahjong tile supported on the receiving end and generate a corresponding sensing signal.

[0013] This invention provides a card-adding mechanism, wherein the card-pushing device further includes: a card-pushing driver; a card-pushing rotating seat that rotates under the drive of the card-pushing driver, the other end of the card-pushing arm being disposed on the card-pushing rotating seat; and a card-pushing sensing component, including a card-pushing sensing part disposed on the card-pushing rotating seat, a first card-pushing sensor and a second card-pushing sensor correspondingly disposed below the card-pushing rotating seat, the first card-pushing sensor corresponding to a preset card-stacking entrance waiting position in front of the card-inlet of the card slot, and the second card-pushing sensor corresponding to a preset card-lifting entrance waiting position in front of the card-outlet of the card slot.

[0014] This invention provides a card-adding mechanism, wherein the first card-pushing sensor and the second card-pushing sensor are located on the same circumference of the card-pushing rotating base, and are both located directly below one of the movement paths of the card-pushing sensing part. The card-pushing sensing part is a magnet, and both the first card-pushing sensor and the second card-pushing sensor are magnetic induction sensors. The line connecting the first card-pushing sensor and one of the rotation centers of the card-pushing rotating base is a first line, and the line connecting the second card-pushing sensor and the rotation center of the card-pushing rotating base is a second line. The included angle between the first line and the second line is 40°~50°.

[0015] This invention provides a card-adding mechanism, wherein the card-pushing device further includes a card-pushing seat, which is disposed in the inner circle of one of the card slots. The card-pushing seat has a notch in the middle and a rotating groove around its periphery. The card-pushing rotating seat is disposed in the notch. The card-pushing arm is movably disposed on the upper end of one of the card-pushing rotating seats and located above the card-pushing seat. A card-pushing slider is disposed on one side of the card-pushing arm. The card-pushing slider is slidably embedded in the rotating groove. The rotating groove has a recessed section, which is located next to the card-stacking entrance waiting position.

[0016] This invention provides a card-raising mechanism, wherein the card-raising device further comprises: a support plate for supporting the card holder; a swing driver; a swing gear assembly including a card-raising driven wheel that rotates under the drive of the swing driver, a track groove provided on one side of the card-raising driven wheel; a swing linkage with a roller slidably adapted to the track groove at one end, capable of reciprocating with the card-raising driven wheel; a swing arm with one end adapted to the other end of the swing linkage and the other end adapted to the support plate, capable of swinging up and down with the translation of the swing linkage, thereby causing the support plate to rise and fall; and a card-raising sensing assembly including a first swing sensor and a second swing sensor disposed near the card-raising driven wheel, the card-raising driven wheel being provided with a first card-raising sensing part that cooperates with the first swing sensor and corresponds to an upward swing position of the support plate, and a second card-raising sensing part that cooperates with the second swing sensor and corresponds to a downward swing position of the support plate.

[0017] This invention provides a card-raising mechanism, wherein the first card-raising sensor and the second card-raising sensor are located on different circumferences of the card-raising driven wheel, both the first card-raising sensor and the second card-raising sensor are magnets, and both the first swing sensor and the second swing sensor are magnetic induction sensors.

[0018] This invention provides a card-raising mechanism, wherein the track groove has a far end that is furthest from the rotation center of one of the card-raising driven wheels and a near end that is closest to the rotation center of the card-raising driven wheel. When the roller is located at either the far end or the near end, the support plate reaches the upper swing position and the first swing sensor is opposite to the first card-raising sensing part. When the support plate is located at the other of the far end or the near end, the support plate reaches the lower swing position and the second swing sensor is opposite to the second card-raising sensing part.

[0019] This invention provides a mahjong machine, comprising: a shuffling mechanism for shuffling a plurality of mahjong tiles; and a plurality of tile-adding mechanisms for adding tiles to the shuffled mahjong tiles, wherein the tile-adding mechanisms are as described above, and the tile-adding mechanisms are correspondingly arranged around the shuffling device.

[0020] The role and effect of creation

[0021] The present invention provides a tile-feeding mechanism and a mahjong machine, including a tile-feeding device, a tile-stacking device, a tile-storing device, a tile-pushing device, and a tile-raising device. The tile slots have a lower tile slot and an upper tile slot with a larger relative radius of motion. Furthermore, one side of the pushing head of the pushing arm in the pushing device has a second pushing surface and a first pushing surface located further outward in the rotational direction relative to the second pushing surface. These two pushing surfaces correspond to the upper and lower tile slots, respectively. Therefore, through the cooperation of the first pushing surface with the upper tile slot and the second pushing surface with the lower tile slot, the lower layer of mahjong tiles in the tile slots is always pushed onto the table, maintaining a slightly lagging motion behind the upper layer. Since the friction between the lower layer of mahjong tiles and the table is significantly greater than the friction between the two layers of mahjong tiles, this design allows the upper layer to slide a relatively longer distance after the two layers of mahjong tiles are placed on the table, thus aligning the two layers of mahjong tiles on the table. This eliminates the need for manual aligning of the tiles on the table, resulting in a better user experience and visual appeal. Simple Explanation of the Diagram

[0022] Figure 1: It is a structural diagram of a mahjong machine from one angle, according to one embodiment of this invention; Figure 2: This is a structural diagram of a mahjong machine from another angle, representing one embodiment of this invention; Figure 3: It is a structural diagram of the license plate mechanism from one angle in one embodiment of this invention; Figure 4: This is a structural diagram of the license plate mechanism from another angle in one embodiment of this invention; Figure 5: This is a structural diagram of the card-dispensing device according to one embodiment of this invention; Figure 6: This is a structural diagram of the stacking device in one embodiment of this invention; Figure 7: A structural diagram of a portion of the stacking device in one embodiment of this invention; Figure 8: This is a structural diagram of one side of the stacked card block in one embodiment of this invention; Figure 9: It is a structural diagram of the toggle drive block in one embodiment of this invention; Figure 10: It is a structural diagram of the card storage device according to one embodiment of this invention; Figure 11: It is a structural diagram of the mating parts of the card storage device, card stacking device, and card supply device in one embodiment of this invention; Figure 12: It is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the card slot in one embodiment of this invention; Figure 13: It is a structural diagram of the card-pushing device from one angle of one embodiment of this invention; Figure 14: This is a structural diagram of the card-pushing device from another angle, representing one embodiment of this invention; Figure 15: This is a structural diagram of the card-pushing arm in one embodiment of this invention; Figure 16: It is a top view of part of the structure of the card storage device and card pushing device of one embodiment of this invention; Figure 17: This is an enlarged view of the portion within box A in Figure 16; Figure 18: It is a structural diagram of the card-raising device according to one embodiment of this invention; Figure 19: It is a structural diagram of part of the structure of the card-raising device in one embodiment of this invention; Figure 20: It is a structural diagram of one side surface of the driven wheel of the lifting plate in one embodiment of this invention; Figure 21: It is a structural diagram of the swing linkage in one embodiment of this invention; Figure 22: This is a structural diagram of the other side surface of the driven wheel of the lifting plate in one embodiment of this invention; and Figure 23: It is a structural diagram of the support plate of one embodiment of this invention. Implementation

[0023] To make the technical means, creative features, and achieved goals and effects of this invention easy to understand, the following describes in detail the card-playing mechanism and mahjong machine of this invention with reference to embodiments and accompanying drawings.

[0024] <Example>

[0025] Figure 1 is a structural diagram of a mahjong machine from one angle according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 2 is a structural diagram of a mahjong machine from another angle according to one embodiment of the present invention.

[0026] As shown in Figures 1 and 2, this invention provides a mahjong machine 100 for automatically shuffling and loading mahjong tiles 200, comprising a shuffling mechanism 107, a loading mechanism 101, an operation panel mechanism 102, and a table frame mechanism 103.

[0027] The table frame mechanism 103 includes an outer frame 104, a tabletop 105 mounted on the outer frame 104, and a lower frame 106 that supports the tabletop 105 and other mechanisms. The bottom of the lower frame 106 is provided with table legs for supporting the ground.

[0028] The control panel 102 is located in the center of the tabletop 105. It contains a control module that controls the operation of various components of the mahjong machine 100. Operation buttons are located on the top for users to input operating commands. The shuffling mechanism 107 is located in the center below the tabletop 105 and is used to shuffle the mahjong tiles 200 after use. It includes a shuffling disc for carrying and rotating the mahjong tiles, and can specifically adopt a corresponding structure from the prior art.

[0029] The mahjong machine 100 of this invention can be used by four users at the same time, and is equipped with four card-dealing mechanisms 101, which are located at the four corners of the lower frame 106.

[0030] Figure 3 is a structural diagram of the license plate loading mechanism from one angle in one embodiment of this invention, and Figure 4 is a structural diagram of the license plate loading mechanism from another angle in one embodiment of this invention.

[0031] As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the card-feeding mechanism 101 includes a card-supplying device 10, a card-stacking device 20, a card-storing device 30, a card-pushing device 40, and a card-raising device 50.

[0032] Figure 5 is a structural diagram of the card-dispensing device according to one embodiment of this invention.

[0033] As shown in Figures 3 to 5, the card feeding device 10 includes a card suction wheel 11, a card feeding frame 12, a belt assembly 13, and a card feeding motor 14 (card feeding driver).

[0034] The card feeder 12 is fixedly installed on the lower frame 106 and is located near the shuffling mechanism 107. It has an opening facing the shuffling plate of the shuffling mechanism 107. The card suction wheel 11 is rotatably installed at the opening. The output end of the card feeder motor 14 is connected to the card suction wheel 11 and can drive the card suction wheel 11 to rotate.

[0035] The belt assembly 13 includes a feeding belt 15 wound around the card-feeding wheel 11, a guide wheel 16 for guiding the feeding belt 15, and a tensioning wheel 17 for tensioning the feeding belt 15. The guide wheel 16 is installed near the card-stacking device 20, so that the feeding belt 15 can transport the mahjong tiles 200 on it to the card-stacking device 20.

[0036] In this embodiment, a plurality of magnets are installed on the card-collecting wheel 11, and each mahjong tile 200 is inlaid with a magnetic material that can be magnetically attracted to the shuffling magnets. When the card-collecting wheel 11 rotates under the drive of the card-feeding motor 14, the magnets that rotate to the downward position can attract the mahjong tiles 200 below. As the card-collecting wheel 11 continues to rotate, the mahjong tiles 200 are carried to the top of the card-collecting wheel 11 and then conveyed to the stacking device 20 by the card-feeding belt.

[0037] Figure 6 is a structural diagram of the card stacking device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 7 is a structural diagram of a portion of the structure of the card stacking device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The card stacking housing and card stacking motor are omitted in Figure 7 to show other internal structures.

[0038] As shown in Figures 3, 4, 6 and 7, the stacking device 20 is used to stack the single mahjong tiles 200 fed by the tile supply device 10 to form a stack of two tiles together, and includes a stacking unit and a tile-dispensing unit.

[0039] The card stacking unit includes a card stacking block 21, a card stacking block drive rod 22, a card stacking drive wheel 23, and a card stacking motor 24 (card stacking driver). The card pulling unit includes a card pulling block 25, a card pulling linkage 26, and a card pulling drive block 27. In addition, the card stacking device 20 also has a card stacking housing 28 that houses and supports the various components in the card stacking unit and the card pulling unit.

[0040] The top of the stacking block 21 is flat. In the initial state, the flat surface is located near the guide wheel 16 of the supply belt 15 and can receive the mahjong tiles 200 conveyed by the supply belt 15.

[0041] The stacking block 21 is provided with a stacking block groove 211, and one end of the stacking block drive rod 22 is a movable end, which is slidably fitted into the stacking block groove 211 by a slider.

[0042] As shown in Figures 6 and 7, the card stacking drive wheel 23 is mounted on the output shaft of the card stacking motor 24 and rotates under the drive of the card stacking motor 24. A card stacking drive groove 231 is provided on one side of the wheel.

[0043] The other end of the card stacking block drive rod 22 is a fixed end, which has a card stacking drive shaft 221 hinged to the card-pulling drive block 27; the center of the card stacking block drive rod 22 is also provided with a slider that is slidably fitted into the card stacking drive groove 231. When the card stacking drive wheel 23 rotates, the card stacking block drive rod 22 swings up and down, driving the card stacking block 21 to move up and down through the movable end.

[0044] Figure 8 is a structural diagram of one side of the stacked card block in one embodiment of this invention.

[0045] As shown in Figure 8, the stacking drive groove 231 is approximately annular, with a concave section 231A with a decreasing radius and a convex section 231B with an increasing radius. When the slider in the center of the stacking block drive rod 22 is in the concave section 231A, the top plane of the stacking block 21 is lower than the upper plane of the end of the supply belt 15, and its height difference is slightly greater than the thickness of the two mahjong tiles 200, so that the mahjong tiles 200 delivered by the supply belt 15 can be stacked on the top plane of the stacking block 21. When the slider in the center of the stacking block drive rod 22 moves to the convex section 231B, it can drive the stacking block 21 to move slightly upward, which facilitates the tile-picking action of the tile-picking block 25.

[0046] The card-pulling block 25 is fixed to the top of the card-pulling linkage 26. The card-pulling linkage 26 is bent in an approximately L-shape, and its lower end is fixed to one side of the card-pulling drive block 27.

[0047] Figure 9 is a structural diagram of the toggle drive block in one embodiment of this invention.

[0048] As shown in Figures 6 to 7 and Figure 9, an arc-shaped card-dispensing groove 271 is provided on the other side of the card-dispensing drive block 27, and a slider is provided on the other side of the stacking drive wheel 23 (i.e., the opposite side of the surface where the stacking block groove 211 is located) that is slidably fitted into the card-dispensing groove 271. As the stacking drive wheel 23 rotates, under the action of the slider and the card-dispensing groove 271, the card-dispensing drive block 27 moves back and forth intermittently and drives the card-dispensing block 25 to move back and forth through the card-dispensing connecting rod 26, so that when the two mahjong tiles 200 on the top of the stacking block 21 overlap to form a tile stack, the tile stack is pushed toward the tile storage device 30.

[0049] In this embodiment, the stacking device 20 also includes a counting sensor 29 facing the stacking block 21. The counting sensor 29 is a magnetic induction sensor that can generate a sensing signal when a mahjong tile 200 with an embedded magnet passes through, thereby counting the mahjong tiles 200 that are stacked and enter the tile slot 312.

[0050] Figure 10 is a structural diagram of a card storage device according to one embodiment of this invention.

[0051] As shown in Figure 10, the card storage device 30 includes a card storage tray 31, an upper slot plate 32, a lower slot plate 33, an inner slot plate 34, and a card storage sensing component.

[0052] The card storage tray 31 is roughly square in shape, with one corner notched and the other three corners rounded. A vertically extending baffle 311 extends along the edge, and the center protrudes upwards, forming a card slot 312 between the baffle 311 and the central protrusion. Additionally, a support column 313 is located at the bottom of the card storage tray 31, which is used to mount it to the lower frame 106.

[0053] The upper groove plate 32 is a plate-shaped component that matches the shape of the baffle 311 and is embedded in the upper part of the inner surface of the baffle 311; the lower groove plate 33 is a plate-shaped component that matches the card slot 312 and is embedded in the bottom surface of the card slot 312; the inner groove plate 34 is approximately annular and matches the central protrusion of the card storage tray 31, and is installed on the outer edge of the central protrusion of the card storage tray 31.

[0054] Figure 11 is a structural diagram of the parts where the card storage device, card stacking device, and card supply device cooperate in this embodiment.

[0055] As shown in Figures 3, 4, and 11, the card feeding device 10 and the card stacking device 20 are located at the notch corner of the card storage tray 31 and are positioned near one end of the card slot 312. The card stacking block 21 is located at the end opening of the card slot 312. When the card block 25 is pushed towards the card storage device 30, the card block will enter the card slot from the end opening of the card slot 312. When the next card block is stacked and pushed towards the card slot 312 by the card block 25, the card block will also push the card block that has already entered the card slot 312. This process is repeated to allow a certain number of card blocks to be stored in the card slot 312.

[0056] Figure 12 is a cross-sectional structural diagram of the card slot in one embodiment of this invention.

[0057] As shown in Figure 12, the upper slot plate 32, the lower slot plate 33, and the inner slot plate 34 are all adapted to the card slot 312, together forming a structure that can store the card blocks and allow them to pass through the card storage slot. The bottom end of the upper slot plate 32 has a flange 321 protruding towards the center of the card slot 312, and the upper half of the inner slot plate 34 protrudes outward, so that the card slot 312 forms two parts with different radii of movement (i.e., distances relative to the center of the card storage tray 31) (as shown by the two dashed boxes in the figure), namely the upper card slot 312A and the lower card slot 312B. The upper slot 312A and the lower slot 312B correspond to the upper and lower mahjong tiles 200 in the tile stack, respectively. Since the upper slot 312A has a larger radius of motion, even if the upper mahjong tile 200 moves faster due to less friction caused by the lower surface only contacting the lower mahjong tile 200, the upper slot 312A can provide a slightly longer movement path, so that the upper mahjong tile 200 will not detach from the lower mahjong tile 200 due to the faster speed when moving in the slot.

[0058] The tile storage sensing component includes a tile storage sensor 35 located at the end of the tile slot 312 (i.e., near the tile lifting device 50). The tile storage sensor 35 is a magnetic induction sensor, which generates an induction signal by sensing the magnets in the mahjong tiles 200 when there are tile blocks at the end of the tile slot 312.

[0059] Figure 13 is a structural diagram of the card-pushing device of one embodiment of this invention from one angle, and Figure 14 is a structural diagram of the card-pushing device of this invention from another angle.

[0060] As shown in Figures 13 and 14, the card pushing device 40 includes a card pushing base 41, a card pushing rotating base 42, a card pushing arm 43, a card pushing motor 44 (card pushing driver), a card pushing drive gear 45, and a card pushing sensing component 46.

[0061] The card holder 41 is fixedly installed in the middle of the card storage tray 31, that is, in the inner circle of the card slot 312. The middle part has a circular notch 41A, and the periphery is surrounded by a rotating groove 411. The shape and outline of the rotating groove 411 are basically matched with the upper card slot 312A, but the size is smaller. At the same time, there is a recessed section 412 near the notch of the card storage tray 31.

[0062] The card pusher rotating seat 42 is rotatably mounted on the card storage tray 31 via a rotating shaft 310. It is entirely located within the notch 41A, with its upper surface exposed from the notch 41A. The upper surface of the card pusher rotating seat 42 is provided with a push arm mounting protrusion 421, and the push arm mounting protrusion 421 is provided with a push arm mounting hole 422 extending horizontally through it.

[0063] Figure 15 is a structural diagram of the card-pushing arm in one embodiment of this invention.

[0064] As shown in Figure 15, the card pusher arm 43 is a telescopic arm, which is roughly L-shaped and includes a card pusher head 431, a card pusher slider 432, a connecting arm 433, and a guide arm 434.

[0065] The connecting arm 433 is generally rectangular in shape and has a telescopic receiving groove 4331 extending along its length. The cross-section of the telescopic receiving groove 4331 in its extending direction is similar to the top of a "U" shape, that is, it includes an upper horizontal section, a downwardly extending transition section, a lower horizontal section, an upwardly extending transition section, and another upper horizontal section connected in sequence, and the connection positions between each section have rounded corners. The connecting arm 433 is movably inserted into the square push arm mounting hole 422. The push arm mounting hole 422 is located on one side of the center 42A of the push card rotating seat 42, that is, the push card arm 43 is eccentrically positioned relative to the push card rotating seat 42 (push card driven gear).

[0066] One end of the guide arm 434 is embedded and fixed in the telescopic receiving groove 4331, and the other end is fixedly mounted with a pusher head 431. The guide arm 434 is an irregularly shaped elongated strip, and its cross-sectional shape matches the cross-sectional shape of the telescopic receiving groove 4331, that is, it is also similar to the top shape of a "U" character. The connection points between each segment have rounded corners, which allows the guide arm 434 to have sufficient structural strength while being relatively thin, and it can also play a certain guiding role when it is telescopic relative to the connecting arm 433. One side of the middle of the guide arm 434 has a downwardly extending L-shaped mounting plate portion 4341. A pusher slider 432 is rotatably mounted below the end of the mounting plate portion 4341. The pusher slider 432 is cylindrical, and its axis is perpendicular to the length direction of the pusher arm 43. The pusher slider 432 is slidably embedded in the rotating groove 411.

[0067] The pusher head 431 is an irregularly shaped part, generally L-shaped, with a pusher head mounting part 4311 and a pusher rod part 4312 that are roughly perpendicular to each other. The pusher head mounting part 4311 has a mounting hole shaped like the top of a "U" and fits into the other end of the guide arm part 434. The pusher rod part 4312 includes an upper pusher part 43121 and a lower pusher part 43122. The upper pusher part 43121 is generally rectangular plate-shaped, with one side being a first pusher surface 43121a, which is a long strip plane perpendicular to the width direction of the pusher arm 43. The lower pusher portion 43122 is roughly L-shaped. It extends downward from the bottom of the upper pusher portion 43121, and then extends outward from one side of the first pusher surface 43121a of the upper pusher portion 43121 along the width direction of the pusher arm 43. A lateral protrusion is formed at the bottom of the pusher arm 4312. The outer end face of the lateral protrusion is the second pusher surface 43122a, which is a rectangular plane and is also perpendicular to the width direction of the pusher arm 43. That is, in the width direction of the pusher arm 43, the second pusher surface 43122a is located further outward than the first pusher surface 43121a. In addition, the other side of the pusher arm 4312 opposite to the second pusher surface 43122a is inclined relative to the length direction of the pusher arm 4312, making the width of the bottom end of the pusher arm 4312 smaller.

[0068] In this embodiment, the guide arm 434 is made of metal, while the connecting arm 433 and the pusher head 431 are both made of plastic.

[0069] The card-pushing motor 44 is located below the card-pushing base 41, and a card-pushing drive gear 45 is mounted on its output shaft. The lower surface of the card-pushing rotating base 42 has rotating seat teeth 423 (i.e., card-pushing driven gears) that mesh with the card-pushing drive gear 45, thereby enabling the card-pushing motor 44 to drive the card-pushing rotating base 42 to rotate. When the card-pushing rotating base 42 rotates, the distance between the card-pushing slider 432 and the rotation center (i.e., the rotation shaft 310) of the card-pushing rotating base 42 will shorten, causing the card-pushing head 431 to retract inward towards the rotation center and avoid contact with the components of the card-feeding device 10 and the card-stacking device 20, thus preventing mutual interference.

[0070] When the pusher head 431 is in the slot 312, the second pusher face 43122a is located in the lower slot 312B, and the upper part of the first pusher face 43121a is located in the upper slot 312A. Both pusher faces are basically perpendicular to the extension direction of the slot 312. Therefore, in the pushing direction, the lower layer mahjong tiles in the slot 312 are relatively forward compared to the upper layer mahjong tiles. That is, the upper layer mahjong tiles are always slightly behind during the movement.

[0071] When the tile stack reaches the tile lifting device 50, the upper layer of mahjong tiles has less friction because it only contacts the lower layer of mahjong tiles. After the pushing force of the tile pusher head 431 is removed, it usually slides forward a short distance. However, in this embodiment, through the combination of the tile pusher protrusion and the larger movement radius of the tile loading groove 312A, the upper layer of mahjong tiles always stays slightly behind during the movement. After the pushing force is removed, the upper layer of mahjong tiles slides a short distance and then overlaps exactly on top of the lower layer of mahjong tiles, so that the mahjong tiles can be stacked neatly when the tiles are loaded.

[0072] Figure 16 is a top view of the partial structure of the card storage device and card pushing device of one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 17 is an enlarged view of the inner part of box A in Figure 16. The card pushing rotating seat is not shown in Figures 16 and 17, and the edge structure of the card pushing gear is shown in dashed lines in Figure 17.

[0073] As shown in Figures 16 and 17, the card push sensing assembly 46 includes a first card push sensor 461, a second card push sensor 462, a card push sensing part (not shown in the figure), and a card push sensing circuit board 464.

[0074] The pusher rotating seat 42 has a sensor mounting hole 425 on one side edge. The sensor mounting hole 425 extends along the axial direction of the pusher rotating seat 42, and its axial cross-section is circular. The diameter of the hole inside is larger than the diameter of the holes at both ends. The pusher sensing part is a roughly cylindrical magnet. It is positioned so that the line connecting the sensor mounting hole 425 and the center 42A of the pusher rotating seat 42 forms an angle with the length direction of the pusher arm 43. This angle is acute and ranges from 40° to 50°. In this embodiment, it is 45°.

[0075] The card-pushing sensing circuit board 464 is roughly T-shaped, with an arc-shaped upper edge. The first card-pushing sensor 461 and the second card-pushing sensor 462 are both magnetic induction sensors, respectively located at both ends of the upper edge of the card-pushing sensing circuit board 464. These two sensors, along with the card-pushing sensing part, are all located on the same circumference of the card-pushing rotating base 42, meaning that the distances from all three to the central axis of the card-pushing rotating base 42 are approximately equal. Therefore, these two sensors are located directly below the moving path of the card-pushing sensing part. When the card-pushing sensing part moves directly above one of these two sensors, that sensor can detect the card-pushing sensing part and generate a corresponding sensing signal.

[0076] The first card pusher sensor 461 is relatively closer to the card inlet 312C and corresponds to the preset card stacking entrance waiting position P1 in front of the card inlet 312C. When the card pusher rotating seat 42 rotates to the point where the first card pusher sensor 461 senses the card pusher sensing part (that is, when the card pusher sensing part is approximately directly above the first card pusher sensor 461), and under the guidance of the recessed section 412, the card pusher head 431 is positioned at the preset card stacking entrance waiting position P1. In this embodiment, the card stacking entrance waiting position P1 is located behind the card inlet 312C along the card pusher direction, between the card inlet 312C and the card lifting device 50, where there is relatively large free space. The aforementioned recessed section 412 is located next to the card stacking entrance waiting position P1.

[0077] The second push card sensor 462 is relatively closer to the card outlet 312D and is set in accordance with the preset card raising entrance waiting position P2 in front of the card outlet 312D. When the push card rotating seat 42 rotates to the point where the second push card sensor 462 senses the push card sensing part, the push card head 431 is located at the card raising entrance waiting position P2.

[0078] As shown in Figure 17, the line connecting the first card pusher sensor 461 and the center 42A of the card pusher rotating seat 42 is the first connecting line L1, and the line connecting the second card pusher sensor 462 and the center 42A of the card pusher rotating seat 42 is the second connecting line L2. The included angle between the first connecting line L1 and the second connecting line L2 is 40°~50°, and in this embodiment it is 45°. Furthermore, the included angle is set to correspond to the included angle between the direction of the line connecting the sensor mounting hole 425 and the center 42A of the card pusher rotating seat 42 and the length direction of the card pusher arm 43.

[0079] In the initial state, the pusher head 431 is located at the waiting position P1 at the stacking entrance, thus avoiding interference with the stacking device 20. After the stacking device 20 completes the stacking and dispensing of a preset number of mahjong tiles 200 to form several stacks of mahjong tiles, the pusher motor 44 drives the pusher arm 43 to rotate. The pusher arm 43 pushes these stacks of mahjong tiles 200 along the tile slot 312 until the pusher arm 43 rotates to the point where the first pusher sensor 461 senses the pusher sensing part. Based on the sensing signal, the pusher motor 44 is controlled to stop, so that the pusher head 431 stops at the waiting position P2 at the lifting entrance. At this time, the stacks of mahjong tiles 200 pushed by it are located at the bottom of the support plate 52. The pusher head 431 can prevent these stacks of mahjong tiles from falling off the support plate 52 and will not interfere with the end of the support plate 52.

[0080] Then, when the support plate 52 rotates to lift the cards, the pusher motor 44 drives the pusher arm 43 to rotate again until the pusher arm 43 rotates to the point where the second pusher sensor 462 senses the pusher sensing part. Based on the sensing signal, the pusher motor 44 is controlled to stop, so that the pusher head 431 stops at the waiting position P1 at the card stacking entrance. At this time, the pusher head 431 is located near the card inlet 312C and will not interfere with the card stacking device 20.

[0081] Figure 18 is a structural diagram of the card-raising device according to one embodiment of the present invention, and Figure 19 is a structural diagram of a portion of the structure of the card-raising device according to one embodiment of the present invention. The support frame is omitted in Figure 19.

[0082] As shown in Figures 2, 3, 18 and 19, the card-lifting device 50 is used to push the card-pushing device 40 to lift the card stacks to the tabletop. It includes a support unit and a swing unit. The support unit includes a support frame 51 and a support plate 52. The swing unit includes a swing motor 53 (swing driver), a swing arm 54, a swing linkage 55 and a swing gear set composed of a card-lifting drive wheel 56 and a card-lifting driven wheel 57.

[0083] The support frame 51 is fixedly installed on the lower frame 106, located near the card supply frame 12 and fixedly connected to the card supply frame 12 to form a frame. One side of the support frame 51 has an opening at the lower end to facilitate the exposure of the card suction wheel 11, and a support groove 511 is formed at the upper end. The support groove 511 has an open end 511A, which faces the tail end of the card slot 312, and the depth of the support groove 511 gradually increases from the other end to the open end 511A.

[0084] The support plate 52 is used to support the card stack to be placed. The support plate 52 is a long strip plate-shaped piece. One end is a receiving end that can receive the card stack pushed by the card pusher arm 43 from the card slot 312, located at the open end 511A; the other end is a mounting end, which is rotatably mounted on the other end of the support slot 511 opposite to the open end 511A via a rotating shaft, so that the support plate 52 can swing up and down in the support slot 511, and correspondingly its receiving end can rise or fall at the open end 511A.

[0085] The tabletop 105 is provided with a card slot 105A that corresponds to the position and shape of the support plate 52. When the support plate 52 swings upward until the receiving end rises to the highest position, the entire support plate 52 protrudes from the card slot 105A onto the tabletop, and the user can remove the card stacks on the support plate 52. The position of the support plate 52 in this state is referred to as the upper swing position of the support plate 52. When the support plate 52 swings downward until the receiving end descends to the lowest position, the receiving end is basically flush with the bottom of the card slot 312. The card pushing arm 43 can push the card stacks in the card slot 312 from the receiving end onto the support plate 52. The position of the support plate 52 in this state is referred to as the lower swing position of the support plate 52.

[0086] The swing motor 53 is installed below the card storage tray 31, and its output axis extends upward to the card storage tray 31.

[0087] The lifting drive wheel 56 is mounted on the output shaft of the swing motor 53 and can rotate under the drive of the swing motor 53.

[0088] A driven wheel groove 314 is provided on the card storage tray 31 near the card lifting drive wheel 56. The card lifting driven wheel 57 is rotatably mounted in the driven wheel groove 314 via a driven wheel shaft 316 and meshes with the card lifting drive wheel 56. Therefore, it can be driven by the card lifting drive wheel 56 to rotate under the drive of the swing motor 53.

[0089] Figure 20 is a structural diagram of the driven wheel side surface of the lifting plate in this embodiment.

[0090] As shown in Figure 20, a track groove 572 is provided on one side surface of the driven wheel 57 of the lifting plate. The track groove 572 is shaped to protrude on one side. The farthest part of the track groove 572 from the center of the driven wheel 57 (rotation center, i.e., the center of the driven wheel shaft 316) is the far end 572A, and the closest part to the center of the driven wheel 57 is the near end 572B.

[0091] Figure 21 is a structural diagram of the swing linkage in one embodiment of this invention.

[0092] As shown in Figure 21, each end of the swing link 55 has a straight rod-shaped end. One end is a driven wheel engagement end 551 that mates with the driven wheel 57, and the other end is a swing engagement end 552 that mates with the swing arm 54. In this embodiment, the driven wheel engagement end 551 and the swing engagement end 552 are parallel in length. The middle part of the swing link 55 has a first transition section 555 and a second transition section 556 that connect the driven wheel engagement end 551 and the swing engagement end 552. One end of the first transition section 555 is connected to the driven wheel engagement end 551 and is inclined relative to it, with an obtuse angle between them. A clearance groove 5551 is provided at one end of the first transition section 555 near the second transition section 556. The clearance groove 5551 extends through the width of the first transition section 555. The groove width is slightly larger than the width of the bottom end of the push rod 4312 of the push arm 43. Therefore, when the push arm 43 rotates, the clearance groove 5551 can make way for it.

[0093] The driven wheel groove 314 has a straight connecting rod mating groove 315 whose size matches the driven wheel mating end 551. The driven wheel mating end 551 is located in the connecting rod mating groove 315, so that the driven wheel mating end 551 is approximately below the driven wheel 57.

[0094] The side surface of the driven wheel 57 with the track groove 572 facing down is provided with a roller 553 on the upper surface of the driven wheel mating end 551. The roller 553 is slidably embedded in the track groove 572, so that when the driven wheel 57 rotates, it can drive the swing connecting rod 55 to reciprocate along the length direction of the connecting rod mating groove 315 through the roller 553.

[0095] The lower end of the swing arm 54 is provided with a swing shaft 541, which is mounted through the support frame 51, so that the swing arm 54 can rotate around the swing shaft 541 and swing up and down.

[0096] The swing shaft 541, which is exposed on the outside of the support frame 51, is provided with swing shaft teeth 542 distributed in the circumferential direction. The swing mating end 552 is provided with swing mating teeth 554 distributed in the length direction. The swing shaft teeth 542 and the swing mating teeth 554 mesh with each other. When the swing connecting rod 55 moves back and forth, it can drive the swing arm 54 to swing up and down.

[0097] The lower surface of the receiving end of the bearing plate 52 is provided with a bearing mating groove 521, and the upper end of the swing arm 54 is provided with a swing slider 543 that is slidably mated in the bearing mating groove 521. When the swing arm 54 swings up and down under the drive of the swing connecting rod 55, it can drive the receiving end of the bearing plate 52 to swing up and down, that is, swing back and forth between the upper swing position and the lower swing position.

[0098] Since the far end 572A and the near end 572B of the track groove 572 correspond to the two ends of the reciprocating translation stroke of the swing link 55, when the roller 553 moves to the far end 572A, the swing arm 54 will rotate away from the swing link 55, and vice versa.

[0099] In this invention, depending on the different meshing states of the swing shaft tooth 542 and the swing mating tooth 554, the relative positions of the swing connecting rod 55 and the swing arm 54 can change. Therefore, the movement of the swing connecting rod 55 can correspond to different lifting and lowering movements of the swing arm 54, as follows:

[0100] When the swing link 55 is in the retracted state (i.e., the roller 553 is located at the near end 572B and the swing link 55 is located closer to the driven wheel 57), the swing arm 54 is facing upwards. The rotational motion of the swing arm 54 away from the swing link 55 will cause its upper end to move downwards. When the swing link 55 is in the retracted state and the swing arm 54 is facing the swing link 55 (at this time the swing arm 54 is in an approximately horizontal state), the rotational motion of the swing arm 54 away from the swing link 55 will cause its upper end to move upwards.

[0101] Therefore, the far end 572A of the track groove 572 corresponds to one of the swing position and the downward swing position on the bearing plate 52, while the near end 572B corresponds to the other of the upward swing position and the downward swing position.

[0102] In this embodiment, the first case (i.e., the swing arm 54 is in a vertical state when the swing link 55 is in a retracted state) will be used as an example for specific explanation.

[0103] Figure 22 is a structural diagram of the other side surface of the driven wheel of the lifting plate in one embodiment of this invention.

[0104] As shown in Figure 22, a first lifting sensor 58 and a second lifting sensor 59, both of which are magnets, are provided on the other side surface (i.e., the upward-facing surface) of the driven wheel 57. With the center of the driven wheel shaft 316 as the center, the first lifting sensor 58 and the second lifting sensor 59 are distributed on both sides of the driven wheel shaft 316, and are located on the same diameter of the driven wheel 57, but on different circumferences of the driven wheel 57. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the distal end 572A and the proximal end 572B are also on the same diameter line of the driven wheel 57.

[0105] The swing unit also includes a sensing component mounted on the lifting plate driven wheel 57. The sensing component includes a first swing sensor 61 that cooperates with the first lifting plate sensing part 58 and a second swing sensor 62 that cooperates with the second lifting plate sensing part 59. Both of them are magnetic induction sensors.

[0106] In this embodiment, the first swing sensor 61 and the second swing sensor 62 are both set at specific positions, such that when the roller 553 reaches the near end 572B, the first lifting plate sensing part 58 just reaches below the first swing sensor 61, and at the same time, when the roller 553 reaches the far end 572A, the second lifting plate sensing part 59 just reaches below the second swing sensor 62.

[0107] Thus, when the roller 553 reaches the proximal end 572B, causing the swing arm 54 to be in a vertical state and the support plate 52 to be in an upward swing position, the first swing sensor 61 just senses the first lifting plate sensor 58 and outputs a sensing signal; when the roller 553 reaches the distal end 572A, causing the swing arm 54 to swing from a vertical state to a horizontal state and the support plate 52 to be in a downward swing position, the second swing sensor 62 just senses the second lifting plate sensor 59 and outputs a sensing signal.

[0108] Furthermore, when roller 553 is neither at the near end 572B nor at the far end 572A, neither the first swing sensor 61 nor the second swing sensor 62 outputs a sensing signal, indicating that the bearing plate 52 is at a position between the upper swing position and the lower swing position.

[0109] Therefore, in this embodiment, the first swing sensor 58 corresponds to the upper swing position of the support plate 52, and the second swing sensor 59 corresponds to the lower swing position of the support plate 52. By observing the real-time output signals from the first swing sensor 61 and the second swing sensor 62, it is possible to accurately determine whether the support plate 52 is currently in the lower swing position, the upper swing position, or a position between the two.

[0110] Figure 23 is a structural diagram of the support plate of one embodiment of this invention.

[0111] As shown in Figures 18, 19, and 23, the upper surface of the support plate 52 is basically flat, and a connecting hook 522 is formed in the middle of the lower surface. A support sensor 502 is provided on the back side of one end of its lower surface, at the edge of the receiving end 523. The support sensor 502 is also a magnetic induction sensor, capable of sensing the magnet inside the mahjong tile 200 placed on the receiving end 523 and generating a corresponding induction signal. In use, when there is a mahjong tile 200 on the receiving end 523 of the support plate 52, the support sensor 502 can sense the magnet inside the mahjong tile 200 and generate a corresponding induction signal. When the tile is removed from the receiving end 523, the support sensor 502 can no longer sense the magnet in the tile and no longer generates a corresponding induction signal. Therefore, based on this induction signal, it can be determined whether the tile stack on the horizontal support plate 52 has been removed by the user after the tiles are raised.

[0112] By utilizing the aforementioned device structure and corresponding sensing components, the timing of each device's operation can be accurately controlled, enabling two card-adding modes. For example, in the first card-adding mode, a specified number of card stacks are placed on the table at once. The card stacking device 20 stacks a specified number of card stacks according to the counting result of the card stacking counting sensor 29 and places them in the card slot 312. Then, the card pushing device 40 pushes them to the card outlet 312D to wait for the cards to be added. Then, the card pushing device 40 and the card adding device 50 cooperate to push these card stacks onto the table at once. The second card-laying mode involves placing different numbers of card stacks onto the table in two separate steps. The card-stacking device 20 first stacks a specified number of card stacks based on the counting result of the card-stacking counter 29 and places them in the card slot 312. Then, the card-pushing device 40 and the card-lifting device 50 work together to lift the first batch of card stacks onto the table. At the same time, the card-stacking device 20 can stack a second batch of specified number of card stacks based on the counting result of the card-stacking counter 29 and place them in the card slot 312. After the card-pushing device 40 completes pushing the first batch of card stacks and resets, it can work with the card-lifting device 50 to lift the second batch of card stacks onto the table.

[0113] Functions and effects of the embodiments

[0114] The tile pushing device, tile feeding mechanism, and mahjong machine provided in this embodiment include a tile feeding device, a tile stacking device, a tile storage device, a tile pushing device, and a tile lifting device. The tile slots have a lower tile slot and an upper tile slot with a larger relative radius of motion. Furthermore, one side of the pushing head at one end of the pushing arm in the tile pushing device has a second pushing surface and a first pushing surface located further outward in the rotation direction relative to the second pushing surface. These two pushing surfaces correspond to the upper and lower tile slots, respectively. Therefore, through the cooperation of the first pushing surface with the upper tile slot and the second pushing surface with the lower tile slot, the lower layer of mahjong tiles in the tile slots can always be pushed onto the table while maintaining a slightly lagging motion behind the upper layer of mahjong tiles. Since the friction between the lower layer of mahjong tiles and the table is significantly greater than the friction between the two layers of mahjong tiles, this design allows the upper layer of mahjong tiles to slide a greater distance after the two layers of mahjong tiles are placed on the table, thus aligning the two layers of mahjong tiles on the table. This eliminates the need for manual aligning of the tiles on the table, resulting in a better user experience.

[0115] Furthermore, since the stacking device has a stacking counting sensor, it can control the actions of the stacking unit and the card-dispensing unit based on the counting, so that it can stack the correct number of card stacks, and can stack different numbers of card stacks according to different game modes, thus enabling the mahjong machine to support different game modes.

[0116] Furthermore, since the card pushing device includes a card pushing rotating seat, a card pushing arm, and a card pushing sensing component, the card pushing sensing component includes a card pushing sensing part disposed on the card pushing rotating seat and a first card pushing sensor and a second card pushing sensor disposed below the card pushing rotating seat. These two sensors are respectively set to a pre-set card stacking entrance waiting position in front of the card slot and a pre-set card lifting entrance sensing position in front of the card exit. Therefore, by sensing the card pushing sensing part through these two sensors, the current position of the card pushing head of the card pushing arm can be accurately determined, which is convenient for controlling the working actions of each component according to the position state in the automatic control.

[0117] Furthermore, since the card-pushing sensing part is a magnet, and the first card-pushing sensor and the second card-pushing sensor are corresponding magnetic induction sensors, the card-pushing sensing part is set in the through hole on the edge of the card-pushing rotating seat. Therefore, only when the card-pushing sensing part is rotated to be approximately square to the first card-pushing sensor and the second card-pushing sensor can one of these two sensors sense the card-pushing sensing part through the lower opening of the through hole, thereby accurately positioning the position of the card-pushing arm. Therefore, based on the sensing signals of these two card-pushing sensors, the card-pushing motor can be controlled to accurately stop the card-pushing head at the end of the card-pushing arm at the corresponding preset position.

[0118] Furthermore, since there is an angle of 40° to 50° between the line connecting the two preset positions and the center of the card pusher rotation, and the two card pusher sensors are respectively set on the two connecting lines and corresponding to the edge of the card pusher rotation seat, sufficient spacing can be provided between the two card pusher sensors in a limited space. The two card pusher sensors will not interfere with each other or cause false triggering, which can make the positioning control of the card pusher head more accurate.

[0119] Furthermore, since the preset card stacking entrance waiting position is in front of the card slot, the card pusher head can be temporarily stopped at this position according to the sensing signal of the first card pusher sensor, so as not to interfere with the operation of the card stacking device. Moreover, the card pushing action can be started quickly after the card stacking and card pushing are completed. In addition, the pusher arm rotates and extends under the guidance of the annular rotating groove. The rotating groove has a recessed part next to the card stacking entrance waiting position, so the card pusher head can also be retracted at this position, further avoiding interference with other components on both sides.

[0120] Furthermore, since the preset waiting position for raising tiles is in front of the tile outlet of the tile slot, the tile pusher head can be paused at this position, i.e., paused on the outside of one end of the support plate, according to the sensing signal of the second tile pusher. This not only prevents it from interfering with the rotation and tile raising action of the support plate, but also limits the number of stacks of tiles pushed onto the support plate, preventing them from sliding off the support plate and affecting the number of mahjong tiles on the table.

[0121] Furthermore, since the card-lifting device has a first swing sensor and a second swing sensor located next to the driven wheel, and the driven wheel is equipped with a first card-lifting sensing part that cooperates with the first swing sensor and corresponds to the swing position on the support plate, and a second card-lifting sensing part that cooperates with the second swing sensor and corresponds to the swing position of the support plate, the current position of the support plate can be accurately determined by the sensing signals output by these two swing sensors. This facilitates the setting of the working actions of each component based on the position state during the automated control process.

[0122] Furthermore, since the first swing sensor and the second swing sensor are located on different circumferences of the driven wheel, during the rotation of the driven wheel, the first swing sensor will not sense the second lifting plate sensor, and the second swing sensor will not sense the first lifting plate sensor. That is, there will be no mutual interference between the first lifting plate sensor and the second lifting plate sensor, which can accurately and reliably determine the current position of the support plate.

[0123] The above embodiments are only used to illustrate the specific implementation of the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to the scope of the above embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments. The embodiments and descriptions in the specification are only for illustrating the principles of the present invention. Various changes and improvements may be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, and all such changes and improvements fall within the scope of the present invention as claimed.

[0124] For example, in the above embodiment, both the first card-raising sensor 58 and the second card-raising sensor 59 are magnets, and the first swing sensor 61 and the second swing sensor 62 are corresponding magnetic induction sensors. In this invention, as long as the corresponding cooperation between the first swing sensor 61 and the first card-raising sensor 58 and the corresponding cooperation between the second swing sensor 62 and the second card-raising sensor 59 can be achieved, other sensors and sensing parts can also be used. For example, the first card-raising sensor 58 and the second card-raising sensor 59 can be set as concave holes and / or protruding pillars with a specific depth or height, and the first swing sensor 61 and the second swing sensor 62 can both be set as distance sensors, and the sensing part can be determined to have reached the bottom based on the sensed distance signal.

[0125] Similarly, in the above embodiment, the card-pushing sensing part is a magnet, and the first card-pushing sensor 461 and the second card-pushing sensor 462 are corresponding magnetic induction sensors. In an alternative, other sensors and sensing parts can also be used. For example, a card-pushing sensor can be installed on one side edge of the card-pushing rotating seat 42 (for example, at the position of the sensing part mounting hole 425 shown in the figure above). The card-pushing sensor is set as a distance sensor, and the first card-pushing sensing part and the second card-pushing sensing part are correspondingly arranged below the card-pushing rotating seat 42 (for example, respectively at the positions of the first card-pushing sensor 461 and the second card-pushing sensor 462 shown in the figure above). For example, the first card-pushing sensing part and the second card-pushing sensing part can be set as concave holes and / or protruding pillars with a specific depth or height, and the positions of the first card-pushing sensing part and the second card-pushing sensing part correspond to the above-mentioned card stacking entrance waiting position P1 and card lifting entrance waiting position P2, respectively. The card-pushing sensor (distance sensor) can determine whether to reach the card-pushing sensing part and which card-pushing sensing part to reach based on the sensed distance. When the card pusher 42 rotates until the card pusher sensor on it senses the first card pusher sensor, the card pusher head 431 is positioned at the card stacking entrance waiting position P1; when the card pusher 42 rotates until the card pusher sensor on it senses the second card pusher sensor, the card pusher head 431 is positioned at the card lifting entrance waiting position P2, and the card pusher motor 44 is controlled according to the corresponding sensing signal. This achieves a similar technical effect.

[0126] Therefore, this creation is indeed novel, progressive, and industrially applicable, and undoubtedly meets the requirements for patent application under the Patent Law of our country. Thus, we hereby file a utility model patent application in accordance with the law, and earnestly pray that the Bureau will grant the patent as soon as possible.

[0127] However, the above description is only a preferred embodiment of this invention and is not intended to limit the scope of this invention. All equivalent changes and modifications made to the shape, structure, features and spirit described in the claims of this invention should be included within the scope of the claims of this invention.

[0128] 100: Mahjong Machine 101: Vehicle registration agency 10: Tag supply device 11: Card Suction Wheel 12: Talisman stand 13: Belt assembly 14: Branded motor 15: Supply belt 16: Guide wheel 17: Tensioner 20: Stacking Card Device 21: Stacking Cards 211: Stacking Card Slot 22: Stacking Block Drive Rod 221: Stacking drive shaft 23: Stacked Card Drive Wheel 231: Stacking Card Drive Slot 231A: Concave segment 231B: Outer convex segment 24: Stacked brand motor 25: Draw the cards 26: Card-pulling linkage 27: Card Draw Driver Block 271: Card-drawing slide 28: Stacked Card Shell 29: Counting sensor 30: Tag storage device 31: Card Storage Plate 310: Rotating shaft 311: Barrier 312: Card slot 312A: License Plate Slot 312B: Lower Card Slot 312C: Card Entry Port 312D: Card Playing Portion 313: Pillar 314: Driven wheel groove 315: Connecting rod mating groove 32: Upper groove plate 321: Flange 33:Lower groove plate 34: Inner groove plate 35: License Plate Sensor 40: Card Pushing Device 41: Pushing the card holder 41A: Gap 411: Rotary slot 412: Depressed section 42: Card Push Rotating Seat 42A: Center 421: Push arm mounting protrusion 422: Push arm mounting hole 423: Rotate the seat gear 425: Sensor mounting hole 43: Card Pusher Arm 431: Push the card head 4311: Push-card head installation unit 4312: Card Pusher 43121: Upper part of the card pushing section 43121a: First push of the card face 43122: Lower part of the card pushing section 43122a: Second push card 432: Push Card Slider 433: Connecting arm 4331: Telescopic Receiving Channel 434: Guide arm 4341: Mounting plate section 44: Push Card Motor 45: Card Pushing Drive Gear 46: Card Pushing Sensor Component 461: First card push sensor 462: Second card pusher sensor 464: Card Push Sensor Circuit Board L1: First connection L2: Second connection P1: Waiting area at the entrance to the card stacking area P2: Waiting area at the entrance to upgrade your license plate 50: Plate-raising device 51: Support frame 511: Bearing groove 511A: Open end 52: Support plate 521: Bearing mating groove 522: Connecting hook 523: Receiver 502: Load sensor 53: Oscillating Motor 54: Swing Arm 541: Swing shaft 542: Oscillating shaft teeth 543: Oscillating slider 55: Swing Link 551: Driven wheel mating end 552: Oscillating mating end 553: Roller 554: Oscillating meshing teeth 555: First transition segment 5551: Clearance slot 556: Second transition section 56: Upgraded Active Wheel 57: Lifting Plate Driven Wheel 316: Driven wheel shaft 572: Track Slot 572A: Remote 572B: Proximal 58: First Plate Induction Unit 59: Second Lifting Plate Sensor 61: First swing sensor 62: Second swing sensor 102: Operating Panel Mechanism 103: Table frame mechanism 104: Outer border 105: Tabletop 105A: Card Play Slot 106: Lower Frame 107: Shuffling Mechanism 200: Mahjong tiles

Claims

1. A tile-feeding mechanism, disposed in a mahjong machine having a shuffling mechanism, comprising: a tile-feeding device for absorbing and feeding a plurality of mahjong tiles from the shuffling mechanism; a tile-stacking device for stacking the mahjong tiles supplied by the tile-feeding device to form a tile stack, one side of the stacking device being coupled to one side of the tile-feeding device; a tile-storage device, an annular tile slot for storing the tile stack, one side of the storage device being coupled to the other side of the stacking device; a tile-pushing device for pushing and conveying the tile stack in the tile slot, the pushing device being disposed in an inner circle of the tile slot; and a tile-lifting device for lifting the conveyed tile stack to a tabletop, one side of the lifting device being correspondingly disposed on one side of the tile slot; wherein... The tile slot includes an upper tile slot and a lower tile slot that are interconnected, used to transport the upper and lower layers of mahjong tiles from the stacked tile pile, respectively. The movement radius of the upper tile slot is larger than that of the lower tile slot. The tile pushing device has a rotatable tile pushing arm. One end of the tile pushing arm is a tile pushing head for moving along the tile slot to push tiles. One side of the tile pushing head has a first tile pushing surface corresponding to the lower tile slot and a second tile pushing surface corresponding to the upper tile slot. The first tile pushing surface is located further outward in one rotation direction of the tile pushing arm relative to the second tile pushing surface.

2. The registration authority as described in claim 1, wherein, Each mahjong tile has an embedded magnet. The stacking device includes: a stacking unit disposed at one of the tile inlets of the tile slot for stacking two mahjong tiles to form the tile stack; a tile-pushing unit disposed at the tile inlet for pushing the stacked tile stack into the tile slot by pushing; and a stack counting sensor disposed on one side of the tile inlet, which is a magnetic induction sensor for sensing the magnet inside the mahjong tiles as they pass through the tile inlet and generating a corresponding induction signal, thereby counting the mahjong tiles stacked and entering the tile slot.

3. The registration authority as described in claim 1, wherein, Each mahjong tile has an embedded magnet. The tile storage device also has a tile storage sensor, which is a magnetic induction sensor, located on one side of the tile slot's outlet. It is used to sense the magnet inside the mahjong tile when it reaches the outlet and generate a corresponding sensing signal. The tile lifting device has a support plate that supports the tile stack and a support sensor. One end of the support plate is a receiving end facing the tile slot's outlet. The support sensor is a magnetic induction sensor located on the receiving end and is used to sense the magnet inside the mahjong tiles carried on the receiving end and obtain a corresponding sensing signal.

4. The registration authority as described in claim 1, wherein, The card pushing device further includes: a card pushing driver; a card pushing rotating seat, which rotates under the drive of the card pushing driver, with the other end of the card pushing arm disposed on the card pushing rotating seat; and a card pushing sensing component, including a card pushing sensing part disposed on the card pushing rotating seat, a first card pushing sensor and a second card pushing sensor correspondingly disposed under the card pushing rotating seat, the first card pushing sensor corresponding to a preset card stacking entrance waiting position in front of a card inlet of the card slot, and the second card pushing sensor corresponding to a preset card lifting entrance waiting position in front of a card outlet of the card slot.

5. The registration authority as described in claim 4, wherein, The first card pusher sensor and the second card pusher sensor are located on the same circumference of the card pusher rotating base, and are both located directly below one of the movement paths of the card pusher sensing part. The card pusher sensing part is a magnet. The first card pusher sensor and the second card pusher sensor are both magnetic induction sensors. The line connecting the first card pusher sensor and one of the rotation centers of the card pusher rotating base is a first line, and the line connecting the second card pusher sensor and the rotation center of the card pusher rotating base is a second line. The included angle between the first line and the second line is 40°~50°.

6. The registration authority as described in claim 4, wherein, The card pushing device further includes a card pushing seat, which is disposed in the inner circle of one of the card slots. The card pushing seat has a notch in the middle and a rotating groove is provided around its periphery. The card pushing rotating seat is disposed in the notch. The card pushing arm is movably disposed on the upper end of one of the card pushing rotating seats and located above the card pushing seat. A card pushing slider is provided on one side of the card pushing arm. The card pushing slider is slidably embedded in the rotating groove. The rotating groove has a recessed section, which is located next to one of the waiting positions of a stack of cards entrance.

7. The registration authority as described in claim 1, wherein, The card-lifting device further comprises: a support plate for supporting the card holder; a swing driver; a swing gear assembly including a card-lifting driven wheel that rotates under the drive of the swing driver, the driven wheel having a track groove on one side; a swing linkage having a roller slidably fitted into the track groove at one end, capable of reciprocating with the driven wheel; a swing arm having one end fitted with the other end of the swing linkage and the other end fitted with the support plate, capable of swinging up and down with the translation of the swing linkage, thereby raising and lowering the support plate; and a card-lifting sensing assembly including a first swing sensor and a second swing sensor disposed near the driven wheel, the driven wheel having a first card-lifting sensing part that cooperates with the first swing sensor and corresponds to an upward swing position of the support plate, and a second card-lifting sensing part that cooperates with the second swing sensor and corresponds to a downward swing position of the support plate.

8. The registration authority as described in claim 7, wherein, The first and second lifting plate sensors are located on different circumferences of the lifting plate driven wheel. Both the first and second lifting plate sensors are magnets, and both the first and second swing sensors are magnetic induction sensors.

9. The registration authority as described in claim 7, wherein, The track groove has a far end that is furthest from the rotation center of one of the driven wheels of the lifting plate and a near end that is closest to the rotation center of the driven wheel of the lifting plate. When the roller is located at either the far end or the near end, the support plate reaches the upper swing position and the first swing sensor is opposite to the first lifting plate sensing part. When the support plate is located at the other of the far end or the near end, the support plate reaches the lower swing position and the second swing sensor is opposite to the second lifting plate sensing part.

10. A mahjong machine, comprising: a shuffling mechanism for shuffling a plurality of mahjong tiles; and a plurality of tile-dealing mechanisms for dealing tiles onto the shuffled mahjong tiles; wherein, The registration agencies are those described in any of claims 1 to 9, and these registration agencies are located around the shuffling agency.

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