Automatic sorting, collecting and conveying machine for billiards

Abstract

The invention discloses an automatic billiard ball sorting and collecting conveyor which comprises a billiard ball conveying device arranged on the lower portion of a billiard table and a sorting and collecting device arranged between the billiard ball conveying device and a middle ball collecting roller path, and the sorting and collecting device comprises a transverse movable plate located below a ball discharging hole of the middle ball collecting roller path. A sorting ball falling hole is formed in one end of the transverse movable plate, the transverse movable plate can move left and right on the transverse base plate, the transverse base plate is fixed to the longitudinal movable plate, and the longitudinal movable plate, the transverse base plate and the transverse movable plate can move front and back on the longitudinal base plate together. A visual sensor connected with the controller is fixedly arranged over the ball discharging hole, an infrared sensor is arranged in the sorting ball falling hole, and a sorting ball falling valve is arranged at the bottom of the sorting ball falling hole. The device is compact in structure and convenient to manufacture, mount and use, can replace special personnel to automatically complete the work of collecting, placing and conveying billiard balls, saves time and labor, and brings convenience to people.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a billiard table, and more particularly to an automatic ball sorting and conveying machine for mounting on the underside of a billiard table. Background Technology

[0002] Billiards is a widely popular sport, an indoor recreational sport played with cues on a table. Although billiards has been promoted and developed for a long time, the structure of the billiard table has not undergone significant changes. In particular, the processes of pocketing, collecting, and setting up the balls are generally done manually, with the setting and passing of the balls often requiring assistance from specialized staff or service personnel. While billiards is entertaining, the processes of collecting, setting, and passing the balls also present inconvenience, being time-consuming and laborious. Summary of the Invention

[0003] To address the problems existing in the prior art, the present invention provides an automatic sorting and conveying ball collecting machine that integrates ball collection, sequential placement and conveying.

[0004] The technical solution adopted by the present invention to solve the technical problem is: an automatic billiard ball sorting and collecting conveyor, which includes a billiard ball conveying device disposed under the billiard table and a sorting and collecting device disposed between the billiard ball conveying device and the intermediate collecting track. The sorting and collecting device includes a transverse movable plate located below the lower ball hole at the end of the intermediate collecting track. A sorting ball drop hole is disposed on the center line of one end of the transverse movable plate. The transverse movable plate can move left and right along the X-axis on a transverse base plate. The transverse base plate is fixed on a longitudinal movable plate. The longitudinal movable plate, together with the transverse base plate and the transverse movable plate, can move back and forth along the Y-axis on a longitudinal base plate. A vision sensor connected to a controller is fixedly disposed above the lower ball hole. An infrared sensor is disposed inside the sorting ball drop hole. A sorting ball drop valve is disposed at the bottom of the sorting ball drop hole. The vision sensor directly or indirectly captures the ball number or color signal inside the lower ball hole and transmits it to the controller, causing the transverse movable plate and the longitudinal movable plate to move respectively, moving the billiard ball located in the sorting ball drop hole to the triangular fixed ball frame located below the sorting ball drop hole and disposed on the billiard ball conveying device.

[0005] Furthermore, a cue ball reversal track is provided directly below the lower ball hole.

[0006] The billiard ball conveying device of the present invention includes an output movable plate that can extend from the bottom of the billiard table to the outside of the billiard table. One end of the output movable plate is provided with a two-stage lifting movable plate that can be raised and lowered. The upper end of the first-stage lifting movable plate is provided with a bottom support bracket. One end of the bottom support bracket is provided with a triangular fixed ball frame that can move laterally and push the sorted billiard balls onto the billiard table.

[0007] The working principle of this invention is as follows: Figure 1 and Figure 2 As shown, when the billiard ball 3 falls from the pocket, it passes through the middle ball collecting track 7 and lands in the lower ball hole 28. At this time, the horizontal movable plate 16 in the horizontal module blocks the bottom of the lower ball hole 28 to prevent the billiard ball from falling. At the same time, the horizontal movable plate 16 and the vertical movable plate 13 in the vertical module perform circular interpolation motion, which drives the billiard ball in the lower ball hole to move in all directions through the gear effect, so as to show the visual sensor 14. The visual sensor quickly captures the ball number or color information that has been recorded. After the visual sensor identifies the ball number or color, it transmits the ball number or color signal to the controller. The controller receives the ball number or color signal and sends a pulse signal to control the horizontal movable plate 16 and the vertical movable plate 13 to move, so that the sorting ball dropping hole 18 is aligned with the lower ball hole 28, and the identified billiard ball falls into the sorting ball dropping hole. At this time, the sorting ball dropping valve 17 closes, so that the ball falls into the sorting ball dropping hole 18. After the infrared sensor 8 in the sorting ball dropping hole receives the ball dropping signal, it transmits it to the control system. The control system executes the ball position signal from the vision sensor, sending a linear interpolation pulse signal to move the horizontal and vertical movable plates. After the billiard ball is placed into the corresponding ball position in the triangular fixed ball frame, the sorting ball drop valve opens, allowing the billiard ball in the sorting ball drop hole to fall into the corresponding limiting groove on the ball support pad of the triangular fixed ball frame. After the ball falls, the infrared sensor signal closes the sorting ball drop valve. If the vision sensor does not recognize the ball number or color signal, the control system controls the horizontal and vertical movable plates to perform circular interpolation motion. When the billiard ball falls into the lower ball hole 28, the billiard ball rotates, making it easier for the vision sensor to capture the ball number or color signal and transmit it to the controller. After receiving the ball number or color signal, the controller sends a pulse signal to control the horizontal and vertical movable plates to move, aligning the sorting ball drop hole 18 with the lower ball hole 28, allowing the recognized billiard ball to fall into the sorting ball drop hole. At this time, the sorting ball drop valve 17 closes, allowing the ball to fall into the sorting ball drop hole 18. The infrared sensor 8 in the sorting ball drop hole receives the ball drop signal and transmits it to the control system. The control system executes the ball position signal from the vision sensor, sending a linear interpolation pulse signal to move the horizontal and vertical movable plates. After the billiard ball is placed into the corresponding ball position in the triangular fixed ball frame, the sorting ball valve opens, allowing the ball in the ball drop hole to fall into the corresponding limiting groove of the ball support pad 4 in the triangular fixed ball frame. This cycle is repeated to achieve the purpose of sorting the billiard balls. Whether it's Chinese 8-ball, 9-ball, 7-ball, 6-ball, 5-ball, or 4-ball, the snooker red balls can be sorted; the number of balls placed and the number of balls positioned can be matched. Only the operating procedure needs to be changed and a ball support pad in the triangular positioning frame needs to be replaced. If the cue ball is accidentally dropped, the system recognizes the cue ball signal. When the sorting ball drop hole 18 is aligned with the lower ball hole 28, and the cue ball falls into the sorting ball drop hole 18, the sorting ball drop valve opens directly, allowing the cue ball to fall directly into the cue ball reversal track for easy removal.

[0008] like Figure 8As shown, after all the billiard balls have been played and placed, the system emits an audible signal to indicate that the balls are in place and the next step of ball feeding can begin. At this point, simply press the ball feeding button, and the system receives the ball feeding signal and sends a pulse signal to the output module. This, via a servo motor, moves the conveyor plate 20 in the output module. The triangular positioning frame bracket is pushed out beyond the edge of the table. Then, lifting module 1 25, lifting movable plate 1 26, lifting module 2 27, and lifting movable plate 2 31 rise until their bottoms exceed the table surface (Note: Lifting module 2 is fixedly installed on lifting movable plate 1). The lifting movable plate 31 in output module 2 is equipped with a bottom support bracket 29. The conveying movable plate 20 in output module 1 retracts, and the bottom support bracket 30 enters above the table surface. Then, lifting movable plate 1 31 descends again until its bottom is close to the table surface. The triangular positioning frame is pushed onto the table surface by the slide rail 32 on the bottom support bracket and the ball pushing linear motor 11. Then, lifting movable plate 1 31 in lifting module 2 rises again until its bottoms exceed the height of the billiard ball edge. The ball pushing linear motor drives the triangular positioning frame back to its original position inside the bottom support bracket. The output movable plate 20 of the output module pushes it out, causing the triangular positioning frame bracket to retract beyond the edge of the billiard table. Then, the lifting module 1 25, lifting movable plate 1 26, lifting module 2 27, and lifting movable plate 2 31 descend back to their original positions. The output movable plate 20 in the output module then returns to its original position, completing the billiard ball transfer operation.

[0009] In addition, when the cue ball is in use, it may sometimes enter the lower ball hole in the middle ball collection track. When the vision sensor 14 detects a white signal, the controller sends a pulse signal to move the horizontal movable plate 16 to the left, so that the sorting ball drop hole 18 is located directly below the lower ball hole 28. The cue ball in the lower ball hole falls into the sorting ball drop hole. After the infrared sensor 8 detects the cue ball falling signal, the sorting ball drop valve 17 opens, so that the cue ball falls into the cue ball return track 33, which extends to the edge of the billiard table, making it convenient for billiard players to pick up. The other end of the cue ball return track is located below the lower ball hole.

[0010] Features of this invention: The billiard ball conveying device and the ball sorting and collecting device described in this invention can be completely hidden under the billiard table except when conveying billiard balls, and can be used in conjunction with existing billiard table ball collecting tracks. This invention, by modifying the computer program and replacing the corresponding ball-collecting mats, can not only complete the sorting, collecting, and transporting of balls in standard Chinese 8-ball billiards, but also complete the sorting, collecting, and transporting of balls in various other billiards games. 3. The present invention has a compact structure and is easy to manufacture, install and use. It can replace special staff or service personnel to automatically complete the collection, placement and transportation of billiard balls, saving time and effort and bringing convenience to people. Attached Figure Description

[0011] Figure 1This is a top-view structural diagram of a pool table. Figure 2 yes Figure 1 AA cross-sectional structural diagram Figure 3 yes Figure 2 Schematic diagram of the BB cross-section structure. Figure 4 yes Figure 2 A magnified view of a portion of XX. Figure 5 yes Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the Y-axis structure. Figure 6 This is a top view schematic diagram of the ball collecting device arranged according to the Chinese standard 8-ball arrangement. Figure 7 yes Figure 6 CC cross-sectional view diagram, Figure 8 yes Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure and conveying action of the ball transport device in the middle of the table.

[0012] In the diagram, 1. Billiard table; 2. Translational guide rail; 3. Billiard ball; 4. Ball support pad; 5. Peripheral ball collection track; 6. Triangular fixed ball frame; 7. Central ball collection track; 8. Infrared sensor; 9. Lifting guide rail; 10. Servo motor; 11. Ball pushing linear motor; 12. Transmission screw; 13. Longitudinal movable plate; 14. Vision sensor; 15. Output base plate; 16. Lateral movable plate; 17. Sort ball drop valve; 18. Sort ball drop hole; 19. Lateral base plate; 20. Output movable plate; 21. Elastic limit block; 22. Limit groove; 23. Frame; 24. Longitudinal base plate; 25. Lifting module one; 26. Lifting movable plate one; 27. Lifting module two; 28. Lower ball hole; 29. ​​Base support bracket; 30. Slider; 31. Lifting movable plate two; 32. Slide rail; 33. Cue ball reversal track. Detailed Implementation

[0013] exist Figures 1-8A billiards automatic sorting and collecting ball conveyor includes a billiards conveying device located under the billiards table and a sorting and collecting device located between the billiards conveying device and a central collecting track. The sorting and collecting device includes a transverse movable plate 16 located below a lower ball hole 28 at the end of the central collecting track 7. A peripheral collecting track 5 connected to the central collecting track is provided around the perimeter of the billiards table. The lower ball hole is made of a circular material. A sorting ball drop hole 18 is provided on the center line of one end of the transverse movable plate. The diameter of the lower ball hole and the sorting ball drop hole is larger than the diameter of the billiard ball. The transverse movable plate can move left and right along the X-axis direction on a transverse base plate 19 via a nut, a translational guide rail 2 (transverse), a servo motor 10, and a transmission screw 12. The transverse base plate is fixed to a longitudinal movable plate 13 with screws. The longitudinal movable plate, together with the transverse base plate and the transverse movable plate, are connected to the central collecting track. The longitudinal movable plate, through the nut, the translational guide rail 2 (longitudinal), the servo motor 10 and the transmission screw 12, can move back and forth along the Y-axis on the longitudinal base plate 24. The longitudinal base plate 24 is fixed on the frame 23. A vision sensor 14 connected to the controller is fixedly installed directly above the lower ball hole. An infrared sensor 8 connected to the controller is installed in the sorting ball hole. A sorting ball valve 17 is installed at the bottom of the sorting ball hole. The sorting ball valve is also driven by the servo motor to open and close the sorting ball hole. The vision sensor directly or indirectly captures the ball number or color signal in the lower ball hole and transmits it to the controller, causing the transverse movable plate and the longitudinal movable plate to move respectively, moving the billiard ball 3 located in the sorting ball hole to the corresponding limiting groove 22 on the ball support pad 4 located below the sorting ball hole and set in the triangular ball frame 6 on the billiard ball transport device. In addition, when the cue ball is in use, it may sometimes enter the lower ball hole in the middle ball collection track. When the vision sensor 14 detects a white signal, the controller sends a pulse signal to move the horizontal movable plate 16 to the left, so that the sorting ball drop hole 18 is located directly below the lower ball hole 28. The cue ball in the lower ball hole falls into the sorting ball drop hole. After the infrared sensor 8 detects the cue ball falling signal, the sorting ball drop valve 17 opens, so that the cue ball falls into the cue ball return track 33, which extends to the edge of the billiard table, making it convenient for billiard players to pick up. The other end of the cue ball return track is located below the lower ball hole.

[0014] like Figure 6 As shown, the positions of the 15-ball Chinese billiards balls are distributed within the triangular fixed-ball frame. The distance of each horizontal movement (X-axis direction) between the balls is one ball diameter. The distance of each vertical movement (positive and negative Y-axis direction) between the balls varies depending on their position in rows a, b, c, d, and e: row b moves vertically by half a ball position, row c moves vertically by one ball position, row d moves vertically by one and a half ball positions, and row e moves vertically by two ball positions.

[0015] The billiard ball conveying device of the present invention includes an output movable plate 20 that can extend from the bottom of the billiard table outside the billiard table. The output movable plate moves left and right on the output base plate 15 through a nut, a translational guide rail 2, a servo motor 10, and a transmission screw 12. The output movable plate can move to the right outside the billiard table. A lifting module 1 25 is fixedly installed on one end of the output movable plate. The lifting module 1 includes a lifting movable plate 26 that can be lifted up and down. A lifting module 27 is fixedly installed on the lifting movable plate 1. A lifting movable plate 21 is installed on the lifting module 2. A bottom support bracket 29 is installed at the upper end of the lifting movable plate 2. A slider 30 and a slide rail 32 are installed on the bottom support bracket. One end of the triangular ball-fixing frame 6 is supported on the slider. One end of the triangular ball-fixing frame is connected to a ball-pushing linear motor 11. The ball-pushing linear motor 11 is fixed on the lifting movable plate 21. A ball-supporting pad 4 is installed at the bottom of the triangular ball-fixing frame. A limiting groove 22 corresponding to the ball number sequence position is provided on the ball-supporting pad. The maximum depth of the limiting groove is 2-3 mm. Its limiting depth allows the billiard ball to be positioned (without moving) and also allows it to be quickly separated from the ball support pad along with the triangular ball-mounting frame under horizontal thrust, such as... Figure 8 As shown, the output movable plate first moves to the right, moving the triangular ball-fixing frame on it outside the billiard table. Then, the lifting movable plate 26 rises to the plane of the billiard table. Next, the lifting movable plate 31 rises again, making the bottom of the triangular ball-fixing frame higher than the billiard table surface. Then, the output movable plate moves to the left, allowing the triangular ball-fixing frame to enter the billiard table. When the lifting movable plate 31 descends to the bottom of the ball-supporting pad on the triangular ball-fixing frame near the billiard table surface, the ball-pushing linear motor works, pushing the triangular ball-fixing frame from the bottom support bracket to the right onto the billiard table surface. Then, the lifting movable plate 31 rises again, separating the triangular ball-fixing frame from the billiard balls, placing the pre-positioned billiard balls onto the billiard table surface, completing the billiard ball transport. Then, the triangular ball-fixing frame returns to the bottom support bracket. Then, the lifting movable plate 31 descends, and after the lifting movable plate 26 descends again, the output movable plate moves to the left and returns to its original position. The ball-supporting pad is equipped with an elastic limiting block 21 for positioning the triangular ball-fixing frame. During positioning, the elastic limiting block is upright; when the triangular ball-fixing frame is pushed out, the elastic limiting block is compressed into an inclined position (e.g., Figure 7 As shown, both the first and second lifting movable plates are driven by nuts, lifting guide rails 9, transmission screws 12 and servo motors 10.

[0016] The actions of each mechanism described in this invention are controlled by PLC programming. Any content not described in the specification is prior art.

Claims

1. An automatic billiard ball sorting and collecting conveyor, comprising a billiard ball conveying device disposed under the billiard table (1) and a sorting and collecting device disposed between the billiard ball conveying device and the intermediate ball collecting track (7), characterized in that: The ball sorting and collecting device includes a transverse movable plate (16) located below the lower ball hole (28) at the end of the intermediate ball collecting track. A sorting ball drop hole (18) is provided on the center line of one end of the transverse movable plate. The transverse movable plate can move left and right along the X-axis on the transverse base plate (19). The transverse base plate is fixed on the longitudinal movable plate (13). The longitudinal movable plate, together with the transverse base plate and the transverse movable plate, can move back and forth along the Y-axis on the longitudinal base plate (24). A vision sensor (14) connected to the controller is fixedly installed directly above the lower ball hole. An infrared sensor (8) is installed in the sorting ball drop hole. A sorting ball drop valve (17) is installed at the bottom of the sorting ball drop hole. The vision sensor directly or indirectly captures the ball number or color signal in the lower ball hole and transmits it to the controller, causing the transverse movable plate and the longitudinal movable plate to move respectively, moving the billiard ball located in the sorting ball drop hole to the position of the triangular fixed ball frame (6) on the billiard ball conveying device located below the sorting ball drop hole and then dropping it into the triangular fixed ball frame.

2. The automatic billiard ball sorting and conveying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: The billiard ball conveying device includes an output movable plate (20) that can extend from the bottom of the billiard table outside the billiard table. One end of the output movable plate is provided with a lifting movable plate one (26) that can be raised and lowered. The lifting movable plate one is provided with a lifting movable plate two (31). The lifting movable plate two is provided with a bottom support bracket (29). One end of the bottom support bracket is provided with a triangular fixed ball frame (6) that can move laterally and push the sorted billiard balls onto the billiard table.

3. The automatic billiard ball sorting and conveying machine according to claim 1, characterized in that: A white ball reversal track (33) is provided directly below the lower ball hole (28).

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