Bead output device
By employing an inclined bead output channel and a flexible, swingable pusher structure in the bead output device, the problems of bead backflow and inaccurate counting are solved, thus achieving accurate bead output and precise counting.
Patent Information
- Authority / Receiving Office
- CN · China
- Patent Type
- Utility models(China)
- Current Assignee / Owner
- 广州市恒思通电子有限公司
- Filing Date
- 2025-04-28
- Publication Date
- 2026-05-15
AI Technical Summary
In existing bead output devices, beads are prone to backflow, resulting in inaccurate counting and an inability to guarantee that beads are actually output from the outlet.
A bead output device was designed, comprising an inclined bead output channel and a pusher block that can swing elastically. The beads are stacked by gravity and the movement of the beads is controlled by the contact surface of the pusher block. Combined with a counting module, the bead output channel is counted at the top to ensure accurate counting.
This reduces bead backflow, improves the accuracy of bead output and counting precision, and ensures that the counting module only counts the number of beads that have already been output.
Smart Images
Figure CN224248163U_ABST
Abstract
Description
Technical Field
[0001] This utility model belongs to the field of game machine technology, and more specifically, relates to a bead output device. Background Technology
[0002] Pinball machines and pinball mazes are devices that use pinballs to play games. Therefore, players need to buy pinballs to play. Pinballs are mainly sold through vending machines. For vending machines, the speed and accuracy of the pinball output are very important.
[0003] Patent CN2117923U discloses a feeding and counting device for a marble recovery machine. It features radially recessed grooves and equidistantly spaced push-bead grooves on the outer periphery of the marble turntable. The push-bead grooves are U-shaped concave holes with convex arc-shaped inner edges, allowing marbles of varying diameters to be smoothly pushed and fed out one by one. A photoelectric induction counting device with a proximity switch is mounted on the machine base near the marble outlet. A counting control piece extends from one side into the outer periphery groove of the marble turntable, pushing each marble as it passes by, and simultaneously triggering a count by the proximity switch.
[0004] The counting device for the marbles uses a stop to push the marbles and coordinates with a proximity switch to determine the number of marbles output. However, the marbles accumulate inside the marble outlet. There is a certain distance between the position where the stop pushes the marble and the position where the marble enters. After the stop pushes the marble, the marble will fall back. Although the marbles are counted, it cannot be guaranteed whether the marbles have actually been output from the marble outlet. Utility Model Content
[0005] The main purpose of this invention is to provide a bead output device that reduces bead backflow, optimizes the counting position, and makes counting more accurate.
[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a bead output device is provided, including a base, a groove provided on the base, a turntable provided in the groove, and a plurality of bead pushing grooves evenly distributed around the outer edge of the turntable around its axis.
[0007] The base is provided with a limiting part and a bead guiding part, and the limiting part and the bead guiding part form a bead outlet channel. The bead in the bead pushing groove is blocked by the bead guiding part and enters the bead outlet channel.
[0008] The bead outlet channel is arranged at an angle, the base is provided with a bead outlet pipe, the upper end of the bead outlet pipe is provided with a counting module, the lower end of the bead outlet pipe is connected to the upper end of the bead outlet channel, and the lower end of the bead outlet pipe is connected to the groove.
[0009] The base is provided with a pusher block that can swing elastically. The pusher block can partially enter the bead outlet channel. The pusher block includes a first contact surface and a second contact surface. When the pusher block is partially located in the bead outlet channel, the first contact surface is used to contact the newly entered beads in the bead outlet channel, and the second contact surface is used to block the beads accumulated in the bead outlet channel.
[0010] In the aforementioned bead output device, the bead guide section includes two bead guide plates arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the turntable. The distance between the two bead guide plates is adapted to the thickness of the turntable. The turntable passes between the two bead guide sections to allow the beads in the bead pusher groove to enter the bead output channel.
[0011] In the aforementioned bead output device, the limiting part includes two limiting plates arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the turntable. The gap between the two limiting plates allows the push block to move so that the push block enters the bead output channel.
[0012] In the aforementioned bead output device, the push block is hinged to the base, and a first spring connects the push block and the base.
[0013] In the aforementioned bead output device, a positioning block is provided on the base, the positioning block is located between the two limiting plates, and the first contact surface can abut against the positioning block.
[0014] In the aforementioned bead output device, the included angle between the first contact surface and the second contact surface is 75° to 95°.
[0015] In the aforementioned bead output device, the bead pushing groove is a U-shaped groove, and the two side walls of the bead pushing groove are sequentially divided into a first side wall and a second side wall along the rotation direction of the turntable, with the length of the first side wall being less than the length of the second side wall.
[0016] In the aforementioned bead output device, the base is provided with an inclined mounting surface, the mounting surface is provided with a combination block, the combination block constructs the groove on the mounting surface, and the limiting part and the bead guiding part are both provided on the mounting surface;
[0017] It also includes a cover plate, which covers the bead outlet channel and is opposite to the mounting surface.
[0018] In the aforementioned bead output device, the bead output pipe is provided with a bead output notch and a detection notch, and the counting module is connected in the detection notch. When a bead is output from the bead output notch, the counting module is triggered.
[0019] In the aforementioned bead output device, the counting module includes a bracket and a photoelectric sensor. The bracket is equipped with rollers, one end of which is rotatably mounted on the bead outlet pipe, and the other end of which is connected to the bead outlet pipe via a second spring, so that the rollers tend to enter the bead outlet pipe.
[0020] When the bead is output through the bead outlet, it pushes the roller to move away from the bead outlet channel, so that the photoelectric sensor can detect the bracket.
[0021] One of the above-described technical solutions of this utility model has at least one of the following advantages or beneficial effects:
[0022] In this invention, the bead outlet channel is arranged at an angle. After entering the outlet channel, the beads will accumulate due to gravity and be blocked by the second contact surface of the pusher block, preventing them from returning to the groove. New beads entering the outlet channel will contact the first contact surface and push the pusher block to rotate. During this process, the second contact surface will push the accumulated beads upward and quickly reset after the new beads pass, blocking the accumulated beads again and reducing the backflow of beads. At the same time, the counting module is set at the upper end of the outlet pipe. After entering the outlet channel, the beads will gradually accumulate and enter the outlet pipe until they fall out from the upper end of the outlet pipe. The counting module only counts the number of beads that fall out, ensuring accurate counting. Attached Figure Description
[0023] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments;
[0024] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first embodiment of the present utility model;
[0025] Figure 2 This is the first embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure after removing the baffle and the flow divider;
[0026] Figure 3 This is the first embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the structure after removing the surrounding plate and the bead outlet pipe;
[0027] Figure 4 This is the first embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure after removing the cover plate;
[0028] Figure 5 This is the first embodiment of the present utility model. Figure 4 Exploded structural diagram;
[0029] Figure 6 This is a schematic diagram of the counting module according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
[0030] The figure labels for each figure are as follows:
[0031] 1. Base; 11. Groove; 12. Mounting surface; 13. Assembly block; 14. Cover plate; 15. Enclosure plate; 16. Baffle plate; 161. Bead passage notch; 17. Diverter plate; 2. Turntable; 21. Bead pushing groove; 211. First side wall; 212. Second side wall; 3. Limiting part; 31. Limiting plate; 4. Bead guiding part; 41. Bead guiding plate; 5. Bead outlet channel; 6. Bead outlet pipe; 61. Bead outlet notch; 62. Detection notch; 7. Counting module; 71. Bracket; 72. Photoelectric sensor; 73. Roller; 74. Second spring; 8. Push block; 81. First contact surface; 82. Second contact surface; 83. First spring; 84. Connecting block; 9. Positioning block. Detailed Implementation
[0032] The embodiments of this utility model are described in detail below. Examples of the embodiments are shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein the same or similar reference numerals denote the same or similar elements or elements having the same or similar functions throughout. The embodiments described below with reference to the accompanying drawings are exemplary and are only used to explain this utility model, and should not be construed as limiting this utility model.
[0033] The following disclosure provides many different implementation methods or examples for different solutions to implement this utility model.
[0034] Reference Figures 1 to 6 As shown, in one embodiment of the present invention, a bead output device includes a base 1, a groove 11 on the base 1, a turntable 2 in the groove 11, and a motor assembly on the base 1, which can drive the turntable 2 to rotate; a plurality of bead pushing grooves 21 are evenly distributed around the outer edge of the turntable 2 in a circumferential direction around its axis.
[0035] The base 1 is provided with a limiting part 3 and a bead guide part 4. The limiting part 3 and the bead guide part 4 form a bead outlet channel 5. The bead outlet channel 5 is arranged at an inclination. The base 1 is provided with a bead outlet pipe 6. The upper end of the bead outlet pipe 6 is provided with a counting module 7. The lower end of the bead outlet pipe 6 is connected to the upper end of the bead outlet channel 5. The lower end of the bead outlet pipe 6 is connected to the groove 11.
[0036] The base 1 is provided with a pusher 8 that can swing elastically. The pusher 8 can partially enter the ball outlet channel 5. The pusher 8 includes a first contact surface 81 and a second contact surface 82.
[0037] When the turntable 2 rotates, the beads enter the bead-pushing groove 21. As the turntable 2 rotates, the beads in the bead-pushing groove 21 touch the bead-guiding part 4, and the beads move along the bead-guiding part 4 into the bead-exiting channel 5. When the beads do not touch the first contact surface 81, the push block 8 is partially located in the bead-exiting channel 5. The bead-exiting channel 5 is arranged at an angle. After the beads pass the push block 8, they will accumulate due to gravity, and the accumulated beads are blocked by the second contact surface 82 of the push block 8. The beads will not return to the groove 11 and will enter the bead-exiting channel 5 anew. The beads will contact the first contact surface 81 and enter the pushing block 8 to swing. During this process, the second contact surface 82 will push the accumulated beads upward and quickly reset due to elasticity after the new beads pass, thus blocking the accumulated beads again and reducing the backflow of beads. At the same time, the counting module 7 is set at the upper end of the bead outlet pipe 6. After the beads enter the bead outlet channel 5, they will gradually accumulate and enter the bead outlet pipe 6 until they fall out from the upper end of the bead outlet pipe 6. The counting module 7 only counts the number of beads that fall out, and the counting is accurate.
[0038] In this embodiment, the base 1 is provided with an inclined mounting surface 12, and the mounting surface 12 is provided with a combination block 13. The combination block 13 forms a groove 11 on the mounting surface 12. The limiting part 3 and the bead guide part 4 are both provided on the mounting surface 12. Moreover, the limiting part 3 and the bead guide part 4 are located at the upper end of the mounting surface 12. Therefore, when the turntable 2 rotates, it picks up the bead from below and then sends the bead to the bead outlet channel 5 from above.
[0039] It also includes a cover plate 14, which is placed on the bead outlet channel 5 and opposite to the mounting surface 12. The distance between the cover plate 14 and the mounting surface 12 is adapted to the outer diameter of the bead. Therefore, the cover plate 14 can prevent the bead from falling out of the bead outlet channel 5 and restrict the movement of the bead, so that the bead can only move along the bead outlet channel 5.
[0040] In this embodiment, the bead guide section 4 includes two bead guide plates 41 arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the turntable 2. The distance between the two bead guide plates 41 is adapted to the thickness of the turntable 2. The turntable 2 passes through the two bead guide sections 4, so the bead pushing groove 21 will pass through the gap between the two bead guide plates 41. The beads in the bead pushing groove 21 will touch the bead guide plates 41 and then move along the bead guide plates 41 to enter the bead outlet channel 5.
[0041] Similarly, the limiting part 3 includes two limiting plates 31 arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the turntable 2. The gap between the two limiting plates 31 allows the push block 8 to move so that the push block 8 can enter the ball outlet channel 5. The limiting plate 31 is opposite to the guide plate 41, and the ball outlet channel 5 is formed between the limiting plate 31 and the guide plate 41.
[0042] Furthermore, the width of the constructed bead delivery channel 5 is adapted to the outer diameter of the bead, ensuring that the beads are delivered one by one.
[0043] In this embodiment, a connecting block 84 is also included. The connecting block 84 can be fixed on the base 1 or the cover plate 14. The push block 8 is hinged on the base 1, so the push block 8 can rotate. A first spring 83 is connected between the push block 8 and the connecting block 84. When no new beads enter the bead outlet channel 5, the first spring 83 keeps the push block 8 partially in the bead outlet channel 5. At this time, the second contact surface 82 will press against the accumulated beads. When a new bead enters the bead outlet channel 5, it pushes the push block 8 to rotate, stretching the first spring 83. After the new bead passes the push block 8, the first spring 83 causes the push block 8 to reset, so that the push block 8 can quickly press against the newly stacked beads.
[0044] The cover plate 14 can be connected to the limiting plate 31 and the guide plate 41, thereby covering the ball outlet channel 5.
[0045] In this embodiment, a positioning block 9 is provided on the base 1. The positioning block 9 is located between two limiting plates 31. The first contact surface 81 can abut against the positioning block 9, thereby limiting the position of the push block 8 when no new ball pushes it and controlling the rotation amplitude of the push block 8.
[0046] Meanwhile, the cover plate 14 is connected to the positioning block 9. When the turntable 2 pushes the bead into the bead outlet channel 5, the bead will squeeze the cover plate 14. After the cover plate 14 is connected to the positioning block 9, it can further prevent the cover plate 14 from being squeezed up, ensuring that the distance between the bead outlet channel 5 and the mounting surface 12 remains unchanged.
[0047] In this embodiment, the included angle between the first contact surface 81 and the second contact surface 82 is 75° to 95°. By controlling the included angle between the first contact surface 81 and the second contact surface 82, the shape of the part of the push block 8 that enters the bead outlet channel 5 can be controlled, so that when the push block 8 pushes the stacked beads, the movement distance of the beads will not exceed twice the outer diameter of the beads.
[0048] Preferably, the included angle between the first contact surface 81 and the second contact surface 82 is 80° to 86°.
[0049] In this embodiment, the bead-pushing groove 21 is a U-shaped groove. The two side walls of the bead-pushing groove 21 are divided into a first side wall 211 and a second side wall 212 in sequence along the rotation direction of the turntable 2. The length of the first side wall 211 is less than the length of the second side wall 212. Therefore, the bead-pushing groove 21 of this application is not a regular U-shaped groove, but a U-shaped groove with a gradually expanding opening. The opening direction is inclined outward along the rotation direction of the turntable 2. When the turntable 2 rotates, due to the large opening, a part of the bead can quickly fall into the opening. With the rotation of the turntable 2 and the inclination of the opening, the bead will quickly enter the bead-pushing groove 21. Under this structure, the speed of the turntable 2 can be relatively fast, which can improve the output speed of the bead. Moreover, one bead-pushing groove 21 can only carry one bead.
[0050] If the pusher groove 21 is a U-shaped groove, the ball will have difficulty entering the pusher groove 21 if the speed of the turntable 2 is high due to the size of the pusher groove 21. Therefore, the pusher groove 21 is designed as a U-shaped groove, so the speed of the turntable 2 will be relatively low and the ball output speed will be slow.
[0051] In this embodiment, the thickness of the turntable 2 and the distance between the turntable 2 and the mounting surface 12 need to be limited;
[0052] Along the axial direction of turntable 2, the distance between the lower surface of turntable 2 and the mounting surface 12 should be less than or equal to half the radius of the bead; otherwise, the bead may easily drill into the bottom of turntable 2. The upper surface of turntable 2 should be flush with or close to the apex of the bead, so that when pushing the bead, the beads in the bead pushing groove 21 will not easily pile up together and enter the bead exit channel 5.
[0053] In this embodiment, the base 1 is provided with a surrounding plate 15, which forms a receiving chamber on the mounting surface 12. The receiving chamber is used to store beads. The groove 11 is located in the receiving chamber. Since the mounting surface 12 is inclined, the beads accumulate at the bottom under the action of gravity. The turntable 2 can scrape the beads from the bottom and transport them to the bead outlet channel 5.
[0054] In this embodiment, a baffle 16 is provided in the receiving chamber. The baffle 16 is arranged at an angle and can cover the upper part of the turntable 2. If the beads entering the receiving chamber fall onto the baffle 16, they will be guided by the baffle 16 to the lower part of the turntable 2. The lower end of the baffle 16 has a bead passage notch 161. The beads on the baffle 16 fall onto the upper part of the turntable 2 through the bead passage notch 161. In addition, the baffle 16 can prevent all the weight from pressing on the turntable 2 and extend the service life of the motor.
[0055] Meanwhile, the baffle 16 is provided with two diverter plates 17 and two bead passage notches 161. The diverter plates 17 are located between the two bead passage notches 161. The two diverter plates 17 form a cone shape, which can guide the beads into the bead passage notches 161.
[0056] In this embodiment, the bead outlet pipe 6 is provided with a bead outlet notch 61 and a detection notch 62, which are arranged opposite to each other, and the counting module 7 is disposed in the detection notch 62.
[0057] The counting module 7 includes a bracket 71 and a photoelectric sensor 72. The bracket 71 is equipped with a roller 73. One end of the bracket 71 is rotatably mounted on the bead outlet pipe 6, and the other end of the bracket 71 is connected to the bead outlet pipe 6 through a second spring 74 so that the roller 73 tends to enter the bead outlet pipe 6.
[0058] When no beads are output from the bead outlet 61, the roller 73 will block the bead outlet pipe 6, and the photoelectric sensor 72 will not detect the bracket 71. When a bead is about to be output from the bead outlet 61, the bead will push the roller 73 to move away from the bead outlet pipe 6, pushing the roller 73 away. The roller 73 can leave the bead outlet pipe 6 by relying on the detection outlet 62, so that it is not obstructed in the bead outlet pipe 6, and the bead can fall out of the bead outlet 61. When the roller 73 moves, it will drive the bracket 71 to move, and the photoelectric sensor 72 will detect the bracket 71 and count. When the bead has fallen out of the bead outlet 61, the roller 73 is no longer obstructed and will reset under the action of the second spring 74, thus blocking the bead outlet pipe 6.
[0059] In some other embodiments, the bead outlet notch 61 and the detection notch 62 may not be arranged opposite each other. The bead outlet notch 61 may be located at the end of the bead outlet pipe 6, and the detection notch 62 may be located on the side wall adjacent to the bead outlet notch 61. When a bead enters the bead outlet notch 61, it will push the roller 73 to move.
[0060] Although embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes, modifications, substitutions and alterations can be made to these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the present invention, the scope of which is defined by the claims and their equivalents.
Claims
1. A bead output device, comprising a base, a groove provided on the base, a turntable disposed in the groove, and a plurality of bead-pushing grooves evenly distributed circumferentially around the outer edge of the turntable, characterized in that... ； The base is provided with a limiting part and a bead guiding part, and the limiting part and the bead guiding part form a bead outlet channel. The bead in the bead pushing groove is blocked by the bead guiding part and enters the bead outlet channel. The bead outlet channel is arranged at an incline, the base is provided with a bead outlet pipe, the upper end of the bead outlet pipe is provided with a counting module, the lower end of the bead outlet pipe is connected to the upper end of the bead outlet channel, and the lower end of the bead outlet pipe is connected to the groove. The base is provided with a pusher block that can swing elastically. The pusher block can partially enter the bead outlet channel. The pusher block includes a first contact surface and a second contact surface. When the pusher block is partially located in the bead outlet channel, the first contact surface is used to contact the newly entered beads in the bead outlet channel, and the second contact surface is used to block the beads accumulated in the bead outlet channel.
2. The bead output device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bead guide section includes two bead guide plates arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the turntable. The distance between the two bead guide plates is adapted to the thickness of the turntable. The turntable passes between the two bead guide sections to allow the beads in the bead pusher groove to enter the bead outlet channel.
3. The bead output device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The limiting part includes two limiting plates arranged at intervals along the axial direction of the turntable. The gap between the two limiting plates allows the push block to move so that the push block enters the ball outlet channel.
4. The bead output device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The push block is hinged to the base, and a first spring connects the push block and the base.
5. The bead output device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The base is provided with a positioning block, which is located between the two limiting plates, and the first contact surface can abut against the positioning block.
6. The bead output device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The angle between the first contact surface and the second contact surface is 75° to 95°.
7. The bead output device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The ball pusher groove is a U-shaped groove. The two side walls of the ball pusher groove are divided into a first side wall and a second side wall in sequence along the rotation direction of the turntable. The length of the first side wall is less than the length of the second side wall.
8. The bead output device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The base is provided with an inclined mounting surface, and a combination block is provided on the mounting surface. The combination block forms the groove on the mounting surface. The limiting part and the guide bead part are both provided on the mounting surface. It also includes a cover plate, which covers the bead outlet channel and is opposite to the mounting surface.
9. The bead output device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bead outlet pipe is provided with a bead outlet notch and a detection notch. The counting module is connected in the detection notch. When a bead is output from the bead outlet notch, the counting module is triggered.
10. The bead output device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The counting module includes a bracket and a photoelectric sensor. The bracket is equipped with rollers. One end of the bracket is rotatably mounted on the bead outlet pipe, and the other end of the bracket is connected to the bead outlet pipe through a second spring so that the rollers tend to enter the bead outlet pipe. When the bead is output through the bead outlet, it pushes the roller to move away from the bead outlet channel, so that the photoelectric sensor can detect the bracket.