Linkage mahjong pushing and lifting mechanism of mahjong machine

Abstract

The utility model relates to the technical field of mahjong machines, in particular to a linkage mahjong pushing and lifting mechanism of a mahjong machine. The utility model provides a linkage mahjong tile pushing and lifting mechanism of a mahjong machine. The linkage mahjong tile pushing and lifting mechanism comprises a machine base, a mahjong tile storage channel arranged on the machine base and used for containing mahjong tiles, a mahjong tile pushing rod used for pushing the mahjong tiles in the mahjong tile storage channel and a mahjong tile lifting plate used for lifting the mahjong tiles in the mahjong tile storage channel to a table top. The tile pushing rod is rotatably arranged on the tile storage channel through a planetary gear set, and a delay groove is formed in the tile pushing rod; when the planetary gear set moves along the delay groove, the planetary gear set drives the mahjong tile lifting plate to ascend to be flush with the table top. The utility model aims to solve the technical problem that the switching time of different states of a mahjong pushing rod and a mahjong lifting rod is long and the interference is easy due to an incomplete gear mode in the prior art.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This utility model relates to the technical field of mahjong machines, and in particular to a linked tile pushing and lifting mechanism for mahjong machines. Background Technology

[0002] The process of a rotating tile-lifting mahjong machine raising the mahjong tiles to the table involves first stacking the tiles vertically in pairs within the tile slots, then pushing them onto the table via a pusher rod. While the pusher rod is pushing the tiles, the lifting plate is tilted to facilitate the tiles' entry onto the table. After the tiles reach the table, the lifting plate rotates to maintain alignment with the table surface. However, currently, the lifting plate and the pusher rod are controlled by separate motors, and having too many motors increases the complexity of control.

[0003] Chinese invention patent CN111450519A, published on April 28, 2020, discloses an integrated linkage tile-lifting mechanism for a mahjong machine. The mechanism includes a tile-pushing component, a tile-lifting component, and a driving component. The tile-pushing component includes a tile-pushing groove and a tile-pushing assembly. The tile-lifting component includes a tile-lifting plate and a tile-lifting assembly. The annular tile-pushing groove includes a tile inlet and a tile outlet. The tile-lifting plate, with one end connected to the tile outlet, extends to the tabletop. The driving component includes a gear system and a driving element. The gear system includes a driving gear, a driven gear system, and an incomplete gear with a notch. Both the driven gear system and the incomplete gear mesh with the driving gear. When the notch of the incomplete gear, which drives the tile-pushing assembly, meshes with the driving gear, the tile-lifting assembly, driven by the driven gear system, pushes the tile-lifting plate to move until it is flush with the tabletop. This patent achieves the switching between different states of the tile-pushing and tile-lifting rods through the incomplete gear. However, over time, the gears may not mesh properly, leading to interference, abnormal noise, or even jamming.

[0004] Therefore, it is necessary to propose a method that does not use incomplete gears to switch between the different states of the push bar and the lift bar. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of this utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a linked push and lift mechanism for a mahjong machine. It aims to solve the technical problems of long switching time and easy interference in the prior art when using incomplete gears to switch between different states of the push and lift levers.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model proposes a linked tile pushing and lifting mechanism for a mahjong machine, including a base, a tile storage channel for holding mahjong tiles mounted on the base, a tile pushing rod for pushing the mahjong tiles in the storage channel, and a tile lifting plate for raising the mahjong tiles in the storage channel to the tabletop; the tile pushing rod is rotatably mounted on the storage channel via a planetary gear set, and the tile pushing rod is provided with a delay groove; when the planetary gear set moves along the delay groove, the planetary gear set drives the tile lifting plate to rise to be flush with the tabletop.

[0007] Preferably, the planetary gear set is provided with a rotating shaft, and the bottom of the push rod is provided with a guide groove that cooperates with the rotating shaft.

[0008] Preferably, the delay groove is a part of the guide groove, wherein the delay groove and the portion of the guide groove excluding the delay groove are angularly distributed.

[0009] Preferably, the planetary gear set includes a planet carrier, a sun gear and planet gears disposed within the planet carrier; the sun gear and planet gears mesh with each other.

[0010] Preferably, the rotating shaft is mounted on the planetary gear; the planet carrier is rotatably mounted on the base, the sun gear is rotatably mounted on the base, and the planetary gear is rotatably mounted on the planet carrier.

[0011] Preferably, the bottom of the planetary carrier is disposed on a gear ring, which meshes with the drive gear of an electric motor.

[0012] Preferably, the bottom of the planetary frame is provided with a linkage groove, and a linkage mechanism is connected to the linkage groove to drive the lifting plate to rise and fall.

[0013] The linkage mechanism includes a linkage shaft that moves along the linkage groove, a V-shaped rod, a rack disposed on one side of the V-shaped rod, a gear meshing with the rack, a rocker arm disposed on the gear, and a lifting shaft disposed on the rocker arm.

[0014] Preferably, the side of the lifting plate away from the storage channel is the rotation center, and the side of the lifting plate closer to the storage channel is connected to a lifting rail seat, which cooperates with the lifting shaft.

[0015] Preferably, the linkage groove includes an ascending arc, a descending arc, and a delay arc. The linkage groove is annular, the ascending arc and the descending arc are connected, and the two ends of the delay arc are respectively connected to the ascending arc and the descending arc.

[0016] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the linked tile pushing and lifting mechanism of the mahjong machine provided by this utility model are as follows:

[0017] 1. During the card pushing process, when the card lifting plate rotates from the lowest point to the tabletop, the card pushing rod and the card lifting plate will not interfere with each other, and the card lifting can be completed.

[0018] 2. The planetary gear set and the lifting plate are linked together. The linkage mechanism controls the movement of the pushing rod and the lifting plate, reducing the use of the motor.

[0019] The features and advantages of this utility model will be described in detail through embodiments and accompanying drawings. Attached Figure Description

[0020] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of this utility model embodiment at the point where the card pushing is completed.

[0021] Figure 2 This is a schematic diagram of the bottom structure of the pusher lever according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of a planetary gear set.

[0023] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the linkage groove.

[0024] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the linkage mechanism.

[0025] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the card-pushing preparation stage.

[0026] Figure 7 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the delay groove on the rotating shaft.

[0027] Figure 8 This is a schematic diagram of the structure where the rotating shaft is on the far left of the delay slot.

[0028] in:

[0029] 1-Card storage channel; 2-Card pusher; 21-Delay groove; 22-Guide groove; 3-Card lifting plate; 31-Lifting track seat; 4-Planetary gear set; 41-Planet carrier; 411-Gear ring; 42-Sun gear; 43-Planetary gear; 44-Linkage groove; 441-Rising arc; 442-Descending arc; 443-Delay arc; 45-Rotating shaft; 5-Base; 6-Drive gear; 7-Linkage mechanism; 71-Linkage rotating shaft; 72-V-bar; 73-Rack; 74-Gear; 75-Rocker arm; 76-Lifting rotating shaft Detailed Implementation

[0030] To make the objectives, technical solutions, and advantages of this utility model clearer, the present utility model will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. However, it should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are merely illustrative of the present utility model and are not intended to limit its scope. Furthermore, descriptions of well-known structures and technologies are omitted in the following description to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the concept of the present utility model.

[0031] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that when an element is referred to as being "fixed to" or "set on" another element, it can be directly on or indirectly on the other element. When an element is referred to as being "connected to" another element, it can be directly connected to or indirectly connected to the other element.

[0032] In the description of this utility model, it should be noted that the terms "center," "length," "width," "thickness," "upper," "lower," "front," "rear," "left," "right," "vertical," "horizontal," "top," "bottom," "inner," and "outer," etc., indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings, or the orientation or positional relationship commonly used when the product is in use. They are used only for the convenience of describing the invention and for simplifying the description, and do not indicate or imply that the device or element referred to must have a specific orientation, or be constructed and operated in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the invention. Furthermore, the terms "first," "second," and "third," etc., are used only to distinguish descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this utility model, "a plurality of" means two or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified. "Several" means one or more, unless otherwise explicitly specified.

[0033] In the description of this utility model, it should also be noted that, unless otherwise explicitly specified and limited, the terms "set," "install," "connect," and "link" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral connection; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium; and they can refer to the internal connection of two components. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of the above terms in this invention based on the specific circumstances.

[0034] The rotating tile-feeding mechanism of a mahjong machine consists of identical mechanisms located at each of the four corners. The rotating pusher lever pushes the mahjong tiles from the storage channel along the lifting plate onto the tabletop, where the lifting plate then rises until it is flush with the table surface. Example

[0035] See Figure 1-3This utility model embodiment provides a linked tile pushing and lifting mechanism for a mahjong machine, including a base 5, a tile storage channel 1 for holding mahjong tiles mounted on the base 4, a tile pushing rod 2 for pushing the mahjong tiles in the storage channel 1, and a tile lifting plate 3 for raising the mahjong tiles in the storage channel 1 to the tabletop. The tile pushing rod 2 is rotatably mounted on the storage channel 1 via a planetary gear set 4. The storage channel 1 has an inlet and an outlet; the inlet is where the stacked mahjong tiles on the table enter, and the outlet is where the mahjong tiles enter the tile lifting plate 3. The tile pushing rod 2 is provided with a delay groove 21; when the planetary gear set 4 moves along the delay groove 21, the planetary gear set 4 drives the tile lifting plate 3 to rise to be flush with the tabletop. There are two ways to raise and lower the tile-raising plate 3: one is to raise and lower it vertically up and down, and the other is to fix the end of the tile-raising plate 3 away from the exit of the tile storage channel 1, while the end near the exit of the tile storage channel 1 can rotate. When rotated to the lowest position, it is convenient for the mahjong tiles to enter. When raised to the highest position, the whole plate is flush with the mahjong table, and the mahjong tiles extend out of the mahjong table.

[0036] Specifically, in actual use, after two mahjong tiles are stacked one on top of the other, they enter the storage channel 1 through the inlet. When the mahjong tiles are stacked to a suitable number, the planetary gear set 4 drives the pusher lever 2 to rotate, pushing the mahjong tiles from the storage channel 1 along the lifting plate 3 onto the table. When the pusher lever 2 has pushed all the mahjong tiles onto the lifting plate 3, the planetary gear set 4 enters the delay slot 21. The planetary gear set 4 continues to rotate, while the pusher plate 2 does not rotate. The planetary gear set 4 drives the linkage mechanism to raise the lifting plate 3 to the table position. When the planetary gear set 4 leaves the delay slot 21, the pusher lever 2 rotates back to the inlet position, and the lifting plate 3 descends back to its lowest position. After the delay slot 21, the pusher lever 2 and the lifting plate 3 will not interfere with each other, and the lifting function of the lifting plate can be completed smoothly.

[0037] For further details, please refer to [link / reference]. Figure 6 The planetary gear set 4 is provided with a rotating shaft 45, and the bottom of the pusher rod 2 is provided with a guide groove 22 that cooperates with the rotating shaft 45. The delay groove 21 is a part of the guide groove 22, wherein the delay groove 21 and the portion of the guide groove 22 excluding the delay groove 21 are angularly distributed.

[0038] Specifically, the delay groove 21 follows the movement trajectory of the rotating shaft 45 and will not cause the pusher lever 2 to rotate. The guide groove 22, however, is not part of the rotating shaft 45's movement trajectory and allows the pusher lever 2 to move. The rotating shaft 45 can be a bearing; thus, the guide groove 22 and the rotating shaft 45 experience rolling friction, resulting in minimal wear. Example

[0039] The push lever 2 is driven by the planetary gear set 4, which will be described in detail below.

[0040] The planetary gear set 4 includes a planet carrier 41, a sun gear 42 and a planetary gear 43 disposed in the planet carrier 41; the sun gear 42 and the planetary gear 43 mesh with each other.

[0041] See Figure 3-4 The rotating shaft 41 is mounted on the planetary gear 43; the planetary carrier 41 is rotatably mounted on the base 5, the sun gear 42 is rotatably mounted on the base 5, and the planetary gear 43 is rotatably mounted on the planetary carrier 41. The bottom of the planetary carrier 41 is mounted on a gear ring 411, which meshes with a drive gear 6 of a motor.

[0042] Specifically, multiple planetary gears 43 can be provided, but one is preferred. The planet carrier 41 is a frame that houses the planetary gear 43 and the sun gear 42. The sun gear 42 and the planet carrier 41 rotate along the same axis. After the motor starts, the sun gear 42 rotates on its own axis, and the planetary gear 43 revolves around the sun gear. Because the planetary gear 43 and the sun gear 42 are meshed, the planetary gear 43 will also rotate on its own axis during its revolution.

[0043] Planetary gears come in various configurations, with the pusher lever 2 mounted on any one of the planet carrier 41, sun gear 42, or planet gear 43. However, the principle of motion remains the same. Example

[0044] The lifting plate 3 is controlled by the planetary gear set 4. The specific linkage between the planetary gear set 4 and the lifting plate 3 will be explained in detail below.

[0045] One type of lifting mechanism for the lifting plate 3 is as follows: the side of the lifting plate 3 away from the card storage channel 1 is the rotation center, and the side of the lifting plate 3 close to the card storage channel 1 is connected to a lifting rail seat 31, which cooperates with the lifting shaft 76.

[0046] See Figure 5 The planetary frame 41 is provided with a linkage groove 44 at its bottom, and a linkage mechanism 7 is connected to the linkage groove 44 to drive the lifting plate 3 to rise and fall.

[0047] The linkage mechanism 7 includes a linkage shaft 71 that moves along the linkage groove 44, a V-shaped rod 72, a rack 73 disposed on one side of the V-shaped rod 72, a gear 74 that meshes with the rack 73, a rocker arm 75 disposed on the gear 74, and a lifting shaft 76 disposed on the rocker arm 75.

[0048] Specifically, the V-shaped bar 72 is V-shaped when viewed from the top and bottom views. To reflect practical considerations, the two sides are not necessarily at the same height. One side of the V-shaped bar 72 is equipped with a linkage shaft 71, and the far end of this side from the other side is rotatably mounted on the base. A rack 73 is provided on the other side, and a frame is set around the periphery of the side with the rack 73, so that it can only move in the longitudinal direction and will not rotate. The linkage shaft 71 can achieve rolling friction between the bearing and the linkage groove 44. When the rack 73 moves, it can drive the gear 74 to rotate, and the rotation of the gear can drive the rocker arm 75 to rotate. The lifting shaft 76 is fixed on the rocker arm 75 and can also rotate with it. During the rotation, the lifting shaft 76 moves along the track groove on the lifting track seat 31. The rolling friction between the lifting shaft 76 and the track groove reduces mutual wear.

[0049] See Figure 4 The linkage groove 44 includes an ascending arc 441, a descending arc 442, and a delay arc 443. The linkage groove 44 is annular. The ascending arc 441 and the descending arc 442 are connected. The two ends of the delay arc 443 are connected to the ascending arc 441 and the descending arc 442, respectively.

[0050] Specifically, when preparing to push the tiles, the linkage shaft 71 is positioned between the descending arc 442 and the delay arc 443. During the push, the linkage shaft 71 rotates within the delay arc 443, keeping the tile-raising plate 3 at its lowest position. As it moves from the delay arc 443 into the space between the ascending arc 441 and the descending arc 442, the tile-raising plate 3 rises from its lowest point onto the table, completing the tile raising process.

[0051] The specific work process is as follows:

[0052] This section describes the working process after combining the solutions of Examples 1-3.

[0053] The specific work process can be roughly divided into three parts: the preparation stage for pushing the cards, the card pushing stage, and the card placement completion stage.

[0054] The preparation phase of pushing cards (such as) Figure 6 (As shown): After the two mahjong tiles are stacked one on top of the other, they enter the storage channel 1 through the inlet. Once the mahjong tiles are stacked to the appropriate number, the motor is ready to start.

[0055] The position where the bottom of the push lever 2 mates with the pivot is as follows: Figure 7 As shown, the rotating shaft 45 is located at the connection between the delay groove 21 and the guide groove 22.

[0056] like Figure 4 As shown, the linkage shaft 71 is located between the rising arc 441 and the falling arc 442.

[0057] Pushing cards phase: with Figure 6 For example, the motor starts to rotate counterclockwise, driving the drive gear 6 to rotate clockwise, which in turn drives the planetary carrier 41 to rotate. The planetary gear set 4 then drives the pusher lever 2 to rotate counterclockwise.

[0058] The position of push stick 2 is Figure 6 Past Figure 1 Position movement. The 45-degree pivot first... Figure 7 The position in the middle moves to the far right, and then returns to the far left of the slot, as shown. Figure 8 As shown, planetary gear 43 has both revolution and rotation.

[0059] like Figure 4 As shown, the linkage shaft 71 first moves from the position between the rising arc 441 and the falling arc 442 to the position about to enter the rising arc 441. When it enters the position where the falling arc 442 intersects the rising arc 441 and the delay arc 443, the card lifting plate 3 descends from the highest position to the lowest position, at which point the card pushing rod is about to enter the entrance of the card storage channel.

[0060] Figure 5 The image shows the state of the card-raising plate in preparation for its ascent. At the beginning of the card-pushing phase, the card-raising plate is at its highest position, with the lifting shaft 76 and rack 73 both at their leftmost positions. As the card-pushing phase progresses, the lifting shaft 76 moves to the right, and the rack 73 moves to the right, causing the card-raising plate to slowly rotate from its highest position to its lowest position, until it reaches its lowest position. Figure 5 Location.

[0061] The card-dealing phase moves to the card-pushing preparation phase. The card-pushing lever 2 moves from... Figure 1 Position moved to Figure 6 Position. Initially, the spindle rotated 45 degrees from... Figure 8 Location to Figure 7 The card pusher 2 moves within the delay slot, but the card lifting plate does not rotate, instead rotating to its highest position. Then, the rotating shaft 45 leaves the delay slot, allowing the card pusher 2 to continue rotating. It is important to note that the rotating shaft 45 only moves from the delay slot... Figure 8 The delay effect only occurs when the device moves from the leftmost position to the right and leaves the delay slot; there is no delay effect when it enters the delay slot from the right to the left.

[0062] like Figure 4 Meanwhile, the lifting shaft 76 moves from the delay arc 443 to the position between the rising arc 441 and the falling arc 442, and the lifting plate rotates from the lowest point to the highest point.

[0063] The entire process only requires one motor for overall drive, and the motor rotates in one direction, repeating the above processes in a continuous manner.

[0064] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present utility model and is not intended to limit the present utility model. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions or improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present utility model should be included within the protection scope of the present utility model.

Claims

1. A linked tile pushing and lifting mechanism for a mahjong machine, characterized in that: The device includes a base (5), a storage channel (1) for holding mahjong tiles mounted on the base (5), a pusher (2) for pushing the mahjong tiles in the storage channel (1), and a lifting plate (3) for raising the mahjong tiles in the storage channel (1) to the table surface. The pusher (2) is rotatably mounted on the storage channel (1) via a planetary gear set (4), and the pusher (2) is provided with a delay groove (21). When the planetary gear set (4) moves along the delay groove (21), the planetary gear set (4) drives the lifting plate (3) to rise to be flush with the table surface.

2. The linked tile pushing and lifting mechanism of a mahjong machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The planetary gear set (4) is provided with a rotating shaft (45), and the bottom of the push rod (2) is provided with a guide groove (22) that cooperates with the rotating shaft (45).

3. The linked tile pushing and lifting mechanism of a mahjong machine as described in claim 1, characterized in that: The delay slot (21) is a part of the guide slot (22), wherein the portions of the delay slot (21) and the guide slot (22) excluding the delay slot (21) are angularly distributed.

4. The linked tile pushing and lifting mechanism of a mahjong machine as described in claim 2, characterized in that: The planetary gear set (4) includes a planet carrier (41), a sun gear (42) and planet gears (43) disposed in the planet carrier (41); the sun gear (42) and planet gears (43) mesh with each other.

5. The linked tile pushing and lifting mechanism of a mahjong machine as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The rotating shaft (45) is mounted on the planetary gear (43); the planetary carrier (41) is rotatably mounted on the base (5), the sun gear (42) is rotatably mounted on the base (5), and the planetary gear (43) is rotatably mounted on the planetary carrier (41).

6. The linked tile pushing and lifting mechanism of a mahjong machine as described in claim 5, characterized in that: The bottom of the planetary carrier (41) is disposed on a gear ring (411), which meshes with the drive gear (6) of an electric motor.

7. The linked tile pushing and lifting mechanism of a mahjong machine as described in claim 4, characterized in that: The planetary carrier (41) has a linkage groove (44) at its bottom, and a linkage mechanism (7) is connected to the linkage groove (44) to drive the lifting plate (3) to rise and fall.

8. The linked tile pushing and lifting mechanism of a mahjong machine as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The linkage mechanism (7) includes a linkage shaft (71) that moves along the linkage groove (44), a V-shaped rod (72), a rack (73) disposed on one side of the V-shaped rod (72), a gear (74) that meshes with the rack (73), a rocker arm (75) disposed on the gear (74), and a lifting shaft (76) disposed on the rocker arm (75).

9. The linked tile pushing and lifting mechanism of a mahjong machine as described in claim 8, characterized in that: The side of the lifting plate (3) away from the storage channel (1) is the rotation center, and the side of the lifting plate (3) close to the storage channel (1) is connected to a lifting rail seat (31), which cooperates with the lifting shaft (76).

10. The linked tile pushing and lifting mechanism of a mahjong machine as described in claim 7, characterized in that: The linkage groove (44) includes an ascending arc (441), a descending arc (442) and a delay arc (443). The linkage groove (44) is annular. The ascending arc (441) and the descending arc (442) are connected. The two ends of the delay arc (443) are connected to the ascending arc (441) and the descending arc (442) respectively.

Images